Changes in the UK Population Since 1900 Flashcards
In what ways has the population of the UK changed since the 1900s?
Family size Population structure Migration and Ethnicity Employment Social status
How has family size changed since the 1900s?
Family size fell during the early 20th century, then increased towards the mid-20th century.
1900- average of 3.5 children during reproductive years.
Family size fell again later in the 20th century- for women born in 1955 it was 2.03 children.
How has population structure changed since the 1900s?
Population pyramid- bulges at 60 years old and at 35-45 show there was a high birth rate in 40s & 60s.
Dips in population around 30 years and at 5-15 show a drop in birth rate in the late 70s and 90s.
Life expectancy has also increased from around 50 in 1900 to 77 for men and 81 for women today.
How has migration and ethnicity changed since the 1900s?
Before WW2 many Germans (e.g Jews) and Irish migrated to the UK.
After the war, immigrants came from the countries of the then Soviet Union.
In the 50s-70s large numbers of immigrants came from countries that were once part of the British Empire- India, Pakistan etc.
People come from central & eastern European countries like Poland.
How has employment changed since the 1900s?
Employment in the primary sector and secondary has declined in the last 100 years. E.g in 1901 about 51% of jobs were in the secondary sector but this had fallen to 20% in 2001.
Mechanisation has meant fewer jobs in agriculture, whilst manufacturing industries have moved abroad where there’s cheaper labour.
Improvements in education have led to a rise in tertiary structure jobs.
How has social status changed since the 1900s?
The middle class is growing as the number of people in higher education increases, causing an increase in the average wage and higher class activities like skiing holidays
What internal factors have caused the changes in family sizes?
The suffragette movement- equal rights movement for women led to changes in attitude, giving women more freedom- reduction in birth rate- women pursue own careers.
Legalisation of abortion (1967)- more women could choose not to have a child.
What internal factors have caused the changes in population structure?
Establishment of the NHS (1948)- free health care for everyone has led to increased life expectancy.
What internal factors have caused the changes in employment and social status?
Increasing A-level and university take up- greater levels of education have caused in employment, e.g more jobs in the tertiary structure, and changes to social status.
What internal factors have caused the changes in migration?
More jobs created in tertiary sector- this has been focused around the south-east of the UK.
But the loss of jobs caused by the decline of the secondary sector has mostly affected the north.
Led to internal economic migration of people to the south east (the south east drift).
What external factors have caused the changes in family sizes?
During global recessions people have less money which means they can’t afford to have lots of children.
Global conflict- birth rates fell during the two world wars because men were away from home. After WW2= baby boom.
What external factors have caused the changes in population structure?
Decrease in dangerous jobs that cause poor health and loss of life e.g mining.
Life expectancy increased
What external factors have caused the changes in employment?
Loss of manufacturing to overseas- factories move to cheaper locations with cheaper labour.
Caused a decline in the secondary sector.
What external factors have caused the changes in migration?
Open door policies- EU membership means people from other member countries can live and work in the UK.
Caused increased immigration.
