5 - Population

Question 1

WHAT IS A CENSUS?

Answer 1

Census is a survey carried out every 10 years.​
Each householder is asked to complete a detailed questionnaire about the number of people living in their home.​
Householders answer other questions on their social, economic and cultural background.

Question 2

FOUR OTHER METHODS OF POPULATION DATA COLLECTION:

Answer 2

1. Civil registration of births, deaths and marriages provides an up-to-date count between censuses.​
2. Scottish household survey is a continuous survey based on a random sample of the population which is cheaper than carrying out a full census. ​
3. Government also collects data on migration, for example visa applications. ​
4. NHS records provide health data which allow local health boards to prioritise spending.

Question 3

WHY IS LANGUAGE A DIFFICULTY WITH POPULATION DATA COLLECTION?

Answer 3

Countries with many official languages must translate their census form.​
Countries must employ enumerators who can speak multiple languages e.g. Nigeria has six major languages and hundreds of unofficial languages

Question 4

WHY DOES THE GEOGRAPHY OF A COUNTRY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO COLLECT POPULATION DATA?

Answer 4

Inaccessibility makes some areas very difficult to reach within the time frame eg Indonesia has many islands spread over a large area.

Question 5

WHY IS DATA DIFFICULT TO COLLECT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES?

Answer 5

People are unable to complete forms due to low literacy levels.
data can quickly become out of date due to the high birth rate.
Cost of a census is high, developing countries may prioritise spending elsewhere. ​
Many people live in informal settlements such as shanty towns so have no address.

Question 6

WHAT OTHER FACTORS MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO COLLECT POPULATION DATA?

Answer 6

Conflict can make it too dangerous for enumerators to enter.
Nomadic people may be missed or counted twice as they cross borders.
The size of some populations makes it very difficult to complete a census eg India

Question 7

WHY IS POPULATION DATA COLLECTION DIFFICULT IN NIGERIA?

Answer 7

Nigeria has six major languages and hundreds of unofficial languages

Question 8

WHY IS POPULATION DATA COLLECTION DIFFICULT IN INDONESIA?

Answer 8

Indonesia has many islands spread over a large area. ​

Question 9

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF AN AGEING POPULATION

Answer 9

Low birth rates​
Low death rates​
Largest section of population being old dependents​
Smaller economically active population​
Smallest part of the population are young dependents​
This will result in population decline.

Question 10

WHAT IS THE POPULATION PYRAMID LIKE FOR AN AGEING POPULATION?

Answer 10

Bullet shape population pyramid with narrow base and tapered top.

Question 11

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A YOUTHFUL POPULATION

Answer 11

High birth rates​
High death rates​
Largest section of population being young dependents between 0 – 16​
Smaller economically active population​
Very few old dependents​
This will result in rapid population increase

Question 12

WHAT IS THE POPULATION PYRAMID LIKE FOR A YOUTHFUL POPULATION?

Answer 12

Pyramid shape population pyramid with wide base and very narrow top.

Question 13

YOUTHFUL POPULATION: CONSEQUENCES FOR THE GOVERNMENT

Answer 13

Significant investment in maternity hospitals, immunisation programmes and education will be needed. As well as building more schools and training more teachers. ​
Government policies may promote smaller families or encourage emigration to reduce over-population. ​
The health-care needs of the ageing population will also need to be met.

Question 14

YOUTHFUL POPULATION: CONSEQUENCES TO JOBS/ECONOMY

Answer 14

There will be a much larger potential workforce which may attract multinational companies to the country. ​
An increase in the economically active could also increase unemployment.

Question 15

YOUTHFUL POPULATION: CONSEQUENCES TO PEOPLE

Answer 15

The total population will put additional pressure on services and resources like education. ​
Housing in many developing countries is already overcrowded. This problem will likely continue with many people being forced to live in shanty towns.

Question 16

YOUTHFUL POPULATION CASE STUDY

Answer 16

Gambia

Question 17

AGEING POPULATION: CONSEQUENCES TO JOBS/ECONOMY

Answer 17

there may be lower unemployment rate in the future, however, decrease in economically active may lead to a skills gap. ​
there may be an increase in robots doing the jobs of people.

Question 18

AGEING POPULATION: CONSEQUENCES TO PEOPLE

Answer 18

Citizens may be encouraged to invest in private healthcare and pensions. ​
Falling birth rate may lead to a decline in demand for services for children such as schools
There will be an increased strain on health services to meet the needs of the ageing population eg more hip replacements. ​
There may be more demands placed on adult children to care for elderly parents.

Question 19

AGEING POPULATION: CONSEQUENCES FOR THE GOVERNMENT

Answer 19

Increase in elderly will lead to an increased cost of pensions to the government and increased tax contributions for the economically active population.
The retirement age may need to be increased and more services for older people provided such as care homes.

Question 20

AGEING POPULATION CASE STUDY

Answer 20

Japan

Question 21

WHAT FACTORS PUSH PEOPLE FROM SYRIA TO LEBANON?

Answer 21

Syria has been in a state of civil war that has left much of the country in ruins. ​
The government has been suspected of using chemical warfare against its own citizens. ​
There have been many human rights violations with people being tortured, kidnapped, raped and killed. ​
Houses, schools and healthcare facilities have been destroyed or forced to close due to bombing.

Question 22

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS ON SYRIA?

Answer 22

1. Populaiton shrunk from 22 to 16 million
2. Brain drain
3. Lack of healthcare staff
4. Fewer farm workers so…
5. Fewer people paying tax”

Question 23

FORCED MIGRATION CASE STUDY

Answer 23

Syria to Lebanon

Question 24

WHAT FACTORS PULL PEOPLE TO LEBANON FROM SYRIA?

Answer 24

Lebanon is a much safer and neighbouring country without the risk of war. ​
Refugee camps and temporary home have been provided. ​
Temporary education and healthcare is also available. ​
Lebanon is culturally diverse with Syrian people already making up part of the population. ​
This provides support for those that have fled Syria.

Question 25

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS ON LEBANON?

Answer 25

1. Temporary camps operation for 10+ years
2. Lebanese government have to support mroe people living in poverty
3. Education provided in a two-shift system
4. Syrians have no legal access to work which leads to informal work/exploitation

Question 26

VOLUNTARY MIGRATION CASE STUDY

Answer 26

Mexico to the USA

Question 27

WHAT FACTORS PUSH PEOPLE FROM MEXICO TO USA?

Answer 27

Mexico has much higher rates of poverty and unemployment. For example, a farm worker in Mexico would earn 1 days wages in just 30 minutes in the USA. ​
Mexico has a high crime rate with drug gangs operating across the country and a high murder rate. ​
Mexico has a relatively poor education system with a literacy rate of just 86%.

Question 28

WHAT FACTORS PULL PEOPLE TO THE USA FROM MEXICO?

Answer 28

USA has higher wages and offers jobs in construction, retail and leisure which means that migrants can become financially secure. ​
This allows migrants to send money back to Mexico to support their family. ​
The Southern states already have a high migrant population so there is a support network and an ability to communicate in Spanish.
USA provides better education opportunities (literacy rate of 99%) and a chance to be fluent in both English and Spanish. ​
This will ultimately help young people access higher education and more highly paid jobs.

Question 29

WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS TO MEXICO?

Answer 29

Remittances – money sent back to home reduces the number living in poverty and better access to healthcare and education. ​After petroleum, remittances are the biggest income so contribute greatly to the wider Mexican economy.
Rural areas – young migrants from rural areas have left a shortage of agricultural workers. This could lead to food shortages.
Brain drain – skilled workers have left leaving a shortage of medical professionals.

Question 30

WHAT ARE THE SOCIAL IMPACTS TO MEXICO?

Answer 30

Families separated – most migrants are young men leaving their family behind. This can cause tension and difficulties in relationships due to the prolonged separation.
Mexico is a transit route for migrants from all across South and Central America. These people stay in Mexico if they are refused entry to the USA increasing pressure on services.

Question 31

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS ON CRIME IN MEXICO?

Answer 31

Crime and violence – Drug cartels now control migration in some parts leading to an increase in crime and violence in border towns.

Question 32

WHAT ARE THE SOCIAL IMPACTS ON USA?

Answer 32

Tension – migrants often settle with people they have connection to and not mix with the wider community. This can create tension between locals and migrants.

Question 33

WHAT ARE THE CULTURAL IMPACTS ON USA?

Answer 33

Culture – Mexican culture has enriched the already diverse American culture. ​
Spanish – widely taught across USA widening the skills of young people and offering more career opportunities.

Question 34

WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS ON USA?

Answer 34

Jobs – Mexicans fill many low paying jobs that Americans do not want to do. The number of migrants willing to do these jobs means that wages are kept low so business owners make increased profit. ​
Tax – legal migrants pay tax so contribute to the American economy positively.

Question 35

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS ON CRIME IN USA?

Answer 35

Crime rates – Concerns that migrants are increasing crime rates including the involvement of smuggling drugs across the border.