Demography: An Important and Well-Regarded Subject of Study

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The study of demography and statistics is essential for a nation. Statistical and demographical data provides the history of population growth. To understand the economical condition of a country, it is important to determine population growth rate and immigration pattern (Elliot). The government uses demographical information to determine the total resources needed to satisfy the demand of the total population (“Demographics Driving”). My maternal uncle, Dr. Mohammed Shahidullah, who is the Demographer of the Illinois Department of Public Health said, “The study of population can make a significant impact on the future of a nation.”

As a student Dr. Shahidullah was always interested in the study of population. In senior year of his high school, he met an American Peace Corps volunteer, who mentioned the importance of statistics as a discipline. He kept that in mind and set a goal that allowed him to become a successful demographer. As he is working with the US government, he is appreciating the importance of demography and statistical research. According to him demography is a well regarded matter in the present world.

Dr. Shahidullah grew up in Bangladesh, a country where the population was rapidly increasing, and poverty was widespread. He observed how the rapid growth of population affected the education system in Bangladesh. From his observations, he realized that gaining education wasn’t easy because of the lack of resources compared to the growing number of students. He was interested to observe this matter intimately. After completing his Undergraduate degree on statistics, he went to Australia to earn a M.A. degree on Demography. When he was in Australia, he noticed that Australian students had better educational oppo...

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...ould be able to develop like western countries. The only problem holding Bangladesh back is the lack of their intention to learn and control the population pattern.

Works Cited

“Bangladesh World Fertility Survey 1975-1976.” Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. University of Washington, 19 May 2011. Web. 28 Sep. 2011.

“Bangladesh, 1975-76 (WFS).” OPR.princeton.edu. Office of Population Research, Princeton University, 1991. Web. 28 Sep. 2011.

“Demographics Driving Nations' Wealth.” The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 12 Aug. 2010. Web. 28 Sep. 2011.

Elliot, Dominic. “Crowd Gazing: Understanding demographic forces can help us better prepare for the problems caused by the world's rapidly expanding population.” The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 3 Feb. 2010. Web. 28 Sep. 2011.

Shahidullah, Mohammed. Personal interview. 24 Sep. 2011.

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