Changing Population

Question 1

What are physical factors involved with population distribution?

Answer 1

water supply, climate, relief (landform), vegetation, soils and availability of natural resources and energy, hazards, disease

Question 2

What are human factors involved with population distribution?

Answer 2

Job oppurtunities (economy), education, political stability (corruption, civil war), safety (terrorism, bandits)

Question 3

Development means…

Answer 3

The ways in which a country seeks to progress economically and also to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants. A country’s level of development is shown firstly by economic indicators of average national wealth and/or income, but can encompass social and political criteria.

Question 4

Population distribution is…

Answer 4

A description of the way in which people are spread out across the Earth’s surface. For instance 4 billion people live in Asia.

Question 5

Population density is…

Answer 5

The number of people living in a given area.

Question 6

Advantages of living near coasts

Answer 6

maritime climate, sheltered bays, ports.

Question 7

LICs (low income countries)

Answer 7

30 countries classified by WB which have low incomes of $1035. Agriculture is still important and some of these states suffer from political instability & conflict – Eritrea, Somalia.

Question 8

EEs / MICs (middle income countries (growing economies))

Answer 8

– 100 countries which have begun to experience higher growth due to industrialisation & globalization/ TNC investment. Home to rising middle class e.g. China, Brazil, Mexico.. Tend to have income of $10,000 others use benchmark of $10 a day.

Question 9

HICs (high income countries)

Answer 9

80 countries incomes higher than $12,696. 50% called developed.

Question 10

what is another way used to measure a country’s economic development?

Answer 10

by human development= average number of years of schooling ,GNI, life expectancy at birth

Question 11

Economic development involves?

Answer 11

Economic development involves the transition of a country from primary industries (e.g., agriculture, mining) to secondary industries (e.g., manufacturing), and finally to tertiary (services) and quaternary industries (knowledge-based, e.g., research and development)

Question 12

Northern Nigeria (reason for internal migration)

Answer 12

Boko Haram, Bandits, edge of Sahel, arid, desertification, lack of investment in key services and infrastructure.

Question 13

Niger Delta (reason for internal migration)

Answer 13

flat fertile farmland, palm oil plantations, fishing, oil industry, climate less extreme. Better services & trade.

Question 14

Lagos (reason for internal migration)

Answer 14

manufacturing jobs, FDI, Nollywood, tech industry, job opportunities

Question 15

China ( internal migration)

Answer 15

China’s core-periphery patterns show that the East coast, particularly around megacities like Shanghai and Beijing, forms the industrial belt, with economic wealth distributed across several major cities. As you move westward into the interior, economic contribution declines, though some trickle-down effects are seen with migration and investment in central regions.

Question 16

A Mega city is?

Answer 16

is home to 10 million people or more (In 1970 there were just three; by 2020 there will be 30. They grow through a combination of rural-urban migration and natural population increase due to large numbers of children being born ( on account of the fact that many migrants are young adults of child-rearing age).)

Question 17

Reasons for growth (in megacities)

Answer 17

Natural Increase
Rural to urban migration
May be encouraged by governments e.g. SEZs, as cheaper to provide services & helps to boost economic growth.
Loss of farmland & reduced need for agricultural labour ( mechanization).
Technological revolution.

Question 18

Problems with megacities are…

Answer 18

Migrants arriving lack the right to education and health care - lack rights and remain impoverished.
Urban sprawl, slum developments, income inequalities.
Pollution - air quality and water quality is often poor. Pearl River Delta area has been degraded.

Question 19

How does China’s population distribution differ from Ethiopia’s in terms of geography and climate?

Answer 19

China’s population is concentrated in the eastern coastal zones (trade) and river valleys, with lower population density toward the west, where extreme environments like the Tibetan Plateau exist. Ethiopia, on the other hand, is landlocked and has its most densely populated area in the high-altitude plateau west of the Rift Valley, where 75% of the population lives between 1500m-2400m. Only 10% live below 1500m due to arid conditions and higher risks like malaria.

Question 20

What are the similarities between China and Ethiopia regarding climate and population distribution?

Answer 20

Both countries have low population densities in their arid regions: Ethiopia’s lowlands are sparsely populated due to high temperatures and lack of rainfall, similar to northern China’s Gobi Desert. Both countries historically developed in milder climates with reliable rainfall and fertile land, fostering higher population densities.

Question 21

What is the difference in rural-to-urban migration between China and Ethiopia?

Answer 21

In China, political and economic reforms since 1978 have led to 400 million people migrating from rural areas to cities, with 65% of the population now urbanized. However, the hukou system has limited rural-to-urban migration. In contrast, Ethiopia remains predominantly rural, with 72% working in agriculture and 77% still living in rural areas. Its capital, Addis Ababa, has only 3.4 million people.

Question 22

How does foreign direct investment (FDI) influence migration and economic hubs in China and Ethiopia?

Answer 22

In China, foreign direct investment (FDI) has fueled rapid urbanization, especially along the coast, leading to the growth of mega cities. The province of Jiangsu, a major economic hub, attracts significant FDI. In Ethiopia, Addis Ababa also attracts considerable FDI, ranking 2nd after Beijing in 2022, contributing to urban growth with 1 in 10 Ethiopians living in the capital.

Question 23

How do political and economic factors differ between China and Ethiopia in terms of urbanization and development?

Answer 23

China’s open-door policy, special economic zones (SEZs), and membership in the WTO have attracted significant FDI and facilitated the growth of mega cities. Political reforms have led to massive rural-to-urban migration. Ethiopia, in contrast, is more reliant on agriculture, with limited industrial development and a population that remains largely rural, making its capital, Addis Ababa, the main urban center.

Question 24

The Demographic Transition Model is…

Answer 24

Shows changes in birth rates, death rates and population growth as a country develops. It has 5 stages. (High stationary, early expanding, Late expanding, low stationary, declining)

Question 25

Stage 1: ( Isolated tribe e.g. Amazon)

Answer 25

High DR and low population due to lack of access to health care facilities & professionals. IMR and maternal mortality remain high.
Fragile food and water supplies. Rural society, many subsistence farmers, at risk at times of drought due to monoculture diets & lack of access. They are also prone to disease, mortality.

Question 26

Stage 2: ( Afghanistan, Pakistan)

Answer 26

Countries reduce the DR due to many factors such as national inoculation programs, improved hygiene and education initiatives that increase the number of trained medical professionals. There may be the development of technology and an improved food supply. However, there is often a lag in educational levels of women, in particular regard to family planning and access to contraception and so family size increases leading to a higher number of births than deaths and natural increase. Women still marry young, so fertility period is longer.

Question 27

Stage 3: (Mexico, Morocco)

Answer 27

BR falls due to emancipation of women, later marriages, which reduces fertility rates and size of families. Improved education (especially women) leads in increased awareness of family planning and with greater access to contraception fertility rates fall. Diets improve and there is improved access to services.

Question 28

Stage 4 (USA, Canada, most of Europe)

Answer 28

Modern health care & good services. Birth control widely available, and people have long educational careers and prioritise professions. Marriages are later and people value smaller families. There is a small fluctuation due to generational differences & attitudes to family size. Death fluctuation due to pandemics.

Question 29

Stage 5 (Japan)

Answer 29

Still uncertain – populations could decline. BR fall below replacement level, ageing population.

Question 30

Factors causing high BR

Answer 30

primary based economy where children need to work on the land, low status of women, lack of education on contraceptives and family planning, pro natalist policy, marriage young, religious practices, male heir

Question 31

Factors causing low BR

Answer 31

available and affordable contraception, education about family planning, low infant mortality rate, cost of children, female emancipation, anti natalist policy

Question 32

Factors causing High DR

Answer 32

war, natural disasters, disease, poor medical care, shortage of water, poor hygiene, unhealthy lifestyle

Question 33

Factors causing low DR

Answer 33

Immunisation program, clean and reliable water supply, improved medical care and diet, improved sanitation, improved agriculture

Question 34

UK – Stage 4 of DTM
Before 1970

Answer 34

Natural increase: DR fell since the 1800s due to better food supply, hygiene, and health, with continued improvements into the 1900s.
Growth trends:
Low growth in the 1930s; entered Stage 4 of the DTM.
Post-WWII baby boom ended in the 1970s; BR fell to match DR. Population grew from 38M (1901) to 55M (1970).
Growth slowed in the 1980s/90s; new growth due to immigration and increased longevity (80+ population doubled from 2010-2030).
Current trends:
Both DR & BR are low and constant. Family sizes small, life expectancy rising due to advances in science and medicine.
By 2020, BR was lower than DR (e.g., COVID-19 impact).
Fertility decline:
Brexit and newer arrivals having fewer children.
Cuts to benefits (e.g., two-child limit) during the 2010s targeting low-income families.
Economic barriers: High house prices and rents.
Gender equality: Improved, but significant penalties remain for working mothers.

Question 35

Nigeria – Stage 2 DTM

Answer 35

Population Nigeria 2020 – 207mn
Experiencing high rapid natural increase.
Main driver high fertility ( 4-5 children).
Family sizes falling but due to cultural preferences still high.
Growth rate 2.5% = 5.2mn added in 12months.
By 2300 could be 900mn

Question 36

Causes of high fertility rate (Nigeria)

Answer 36

Patriarchy – women have poor access to education, marry young and have limited knowledge of family planning.
Poverty & many living in rural areas. – high child mortality & children needed to work on farms – seen as economic assets.

Question 37

problems caused

Answer 37

Predividend, not yet benefiting from its large youthful population.
Modest fall in mortality and fertility.
High youthful population.
High unemployment.
Many rely on subsistence farming and informal market.

Question 38

Causes of the rapid growth
of Lagos (Nigeria)

Answer 38

Natural increase ( rates close to 20) – 22% Contraception, youthful pop ( mean age 18yrs) and age 1st birth 22yrs = high fertility rate of 4.
Rural to Urban Migration
unreliable rains, climate change & desertification in the North ( edge of Sahel region). 2) Boko Haram 3) Bandits ( lack of security) 4) Poor services – electricity, health care, water 5) Few job opportunities.
More job opportunities – port, international airport ( hub – 80% flights West Africa), Nollywood, manufacturing industry, fishing industry, finance centre, 30% of country’s GDP. 2) Better services.

Question 39

Consequences of internal migration to Lagos

Answer 39

Slum Development & Makoko
Much of the urban sprawl is made up of slum settlements, which lack basic services. Eg: Makoko ;This community live in shacks on the wetland margins, some of which are built on stilts above the water. Often face forced eviction, when government authorities reclaim valuable land for development, +100,000 people
Most lack public water (only 10%), sanitation, electricity, low life expectancy Communal toilets shared by 15 families, 10,000 children don’t go to school, Unemployment 19%, most work in informal sector, 13mn kg of waste produced a day

Question 40

Other issues Lagos is facing

Answer 40

Waste & Sanitation: Only 40% of the 10,000 metric tonnes of daily waste is collected, leading to a crisis.
Water: The municipal water utility meets less than half of the daily demand; only 10% of residents have access to treated piped water.
Sewage: Poor sewerage systems lead to chemical and bacterial pollution in drinking water, causing diseases like dysentery and cholera.
Traffic: Road and public transport infrastructure are inadequate, favoring wealthier areas over slums; residents face 2–3 hour traffic jams.
Health: Services are often not free, with long queues and limited child vaccinations. A brain drain exacerbates shortages of skilled doctors.
Crime: High crime rates include corruption, armed robbery, and drug-related gang activities by youth.
Employment: Unemployment is at 10%, with 40% working in informal, unsafe, and low-paying jobs.

Question 41

Forced migration

Answer 41

migration that occurs due to war, religious persecution, famine, slavery, politics or natural disasters, creating refugees and internally displaced people.

Question 42

Refugee

Answer 42

A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution or natural disaster.

Question 43

Internally Displaced people ( IDPs)

Answer 43

People who have found shelter in another part of their country after being forced to flee their homes.

Question 44

Militia groups

Answer 44

An armed non-official or informal military force raised by members of civil society. May be classified as freedom fighters/ terrorists..

Question 45

Political causes (pushing people away)

Answer 45

Syria - Civil war in Syria conflict has led many to flee to safe neighbouring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon.
Eritrea - National & military service in Eritrea. Citizens face restrictions on internal movement and speech, and domestic media is controlled by the state.
Conscription in Eritrea’s national /military service program is the factor most commonly cited by asylum seekers who have fled the country. Conscripts have reported earning less than a subsistence wage. “an institution where slavery-like practices are routine.”
In 2005, the Eritrean authorities began to impose a fine of 50,000 nakfa on the family members of deserters and draft evaders who had left the country illegally. Those who were unable to pay may have been imprisoned for a period and/or conscripted for national service in the place of the deserter.
On top of military service there is civilian national service, where people work in the ministry or as teachers. They say they have little or no choice as to what role they are assigned or to which part of the country they are sent.
The worst part, they say, is that they have no idea for how long they will be in national service. I meet men who have served for nine, 10, 12 years.
Russia seizing Crimea and then asserting an aggressive foreign policy towards the Ukraine – seeking to regain old territorial loses. Russia feels betrayed, as the Ukraine aspires to join NATO & the EU, this has led to war. 10,000’s Ukrainians have been killed – 14mn people were forced to migrate in the 1st 3months of conflict ( 30% of the population).
Government policy - government policy. Sometimes governments force people to migrate because they wish to develop an area of land. This has taken place in many slum settlements, including the Mokoko slum in Lagos.
Terrorist groups such Boko Haram (Western Education has been forbidden – opposed to spread of western culture) have terrorized rural communities in the Northeast Region of Nigeria, many of which have been attacked. As a result, people have fled to the security of larger cities. 2014 – 200 schoolgirls were abducted and in 2020 another 300 students were abducted. In total responsible for nearly 3mn IDPs in Nigeria and its neighbours.

Question 46

Political consequence (of migration)

Answer 46

Rise of extremist groups in refugee camps increased Al Shabaab terrorist attacks in Nairobi, Kenya.
Rise of far-right groups in host countries – Germany & Syrian refugees.
Although the number of refugees granted asylum each year typically amounts to less than 01% of the EU’s population, many citizens are unhappy with what they view as a high number. It has become an emotive issue that divides community opinion and affects voting behaviour in elections and referendums – Brexit.
Forced migration such as that found in Nigeria creates quite volatile social and political conditions. People who are forced to migrate are vulnerable and lack social networks. Many rural migrants lack the skills and experience needed to thrive in city environments. Their influx places strain on city resources that can lead to localised conflicts based on xenophobic attitudes and bias. In addition, other migrants who have been forced to migrate outside of Nigeria can later return to their villages with more conservative and/or extreme attitudes. With such ethnic and religious diversity as well as poverty, this encourages extremism and further exacerbates social conflict.

Question 47

Environmental push factors (Northern Nigeria and Eritrea)

Answer 47

desertification= soil degradation=lack of food.
Extreme weather= eg floods of 2012, 7mil people across Nigeria forced to flee + seek refuge=40000 had returned.
Rising sea levels= Sundarbans in Bangladesh – inundation of farmland/communities – migrate to capital Dhaka.
Eritrea – 2016 – drought/famine Affected by periodic drought & food shortages.

Question 48

Environmental Consequences:
(of migration)

Answer 48

Northern Cameroon hosts Nigerian refugees who have escaped violence this has caused rapid deforestation as refugees need firewood for cooking. Overgrazing, plus deforestation can lead to desertification. Pressure is also placed on water supplies.
Lebanon has many Syrian refugees escaping war the waste from informal settlements is often dumped in an uncontrolled manner this leads to soil and water pollution.

Question 49

Eritrea

Answer 49

52,000 fled in 2016
Religious persecution.
No freedom of speech or press.
Forced national & military service.
Government rules by fear.
Drought ( Horn of Africa).
Lack of doctors and medical equipment – no chemo and complex heart ops not possible.
Lack of teachers – half days & 6 day week. 41 students to x1 teacher.

Question 50

Nigeria

Answer 50

2.5mn IDPs.
2mn in the NE alone.
250,000 refugees in neighbouring countries.
Lack of political security – Boko Haram – killed 30 in Auno in Feb 2020 & kidnapped 276 schoolgirls in 2014.
Bandits also exist in this unstable region – 1,600 deaths in 2020.
Rural NE – many suffer from chronic poverty and from climatic conditions.. This leads to clashes between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders.
Flood 2012 – 2mn IDPs & more recently River Niger 2020 flooded – IDPs 50,000 – 66 communities affected with people losing homes, & livelihoods.

Question 51

Consequences for migrants:

Answer 51

In camps adults have no opportunity to work.
Children may cease to be schooled.
Life in refugee camps can be tough for vulnerable groups e.g. elderly, young, women. Housing & tents inadequate & often there is a short supply of food & water. Diseases spread easily.
Often tensions between locals and IDPs over short supply of resources.
Many suffer trauma long afterwards. Many of lost friends & family – depression.

Question 52

Consequences for Europe ( HICs):

Answer 52

In many countries unemployment is high & the cost of living has risen after Covid 19 & now the Ukraine crisis. Many don’t welcome refugees, as they feel they steal local jobs and depress wages.
Emotive – dividing community opinion and affecting people’s voting behaviour in elections and referendums e.g. Brexit.
The cost of care can be considerable $15,000 a year to cater for the needs of one recent arrival & likely to pay a lot more in taxes.
Pressure on public services – health care & education. If they can’t speak the local language this can make things worse.
However, the arrival of young migrants can boost productivity and attract FDI.
Can also create more demand for local goods, enrich the local culture and also boost the birth rate.
They are also more willing to take DAD jobs.