Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

The term 'population momentum' refers specifically to the phenomenon where a population continues to grow even after fertility rates have declined. This occurs because of the age distribution of the population; if there is a large proportion of individuals in childbearing age due to previous higher birth rates, the number of births can remain high even as each woman has fewer children on average. Therefore, the growth in population does not immediately halt with decreasing fertility rates, as the existing larger cohort of young people continues to enter reproductive age and have children, contributing to ongoing population growth.

This concept is crucial in understanding demographic trends and population growth dynamics under varying fertility rates, making it essential for various fields including urban planning, resource management, and social policy formulation.