Demographic changes Flashcards
Growing population
In 1901 the population in England and Wales was 38.2 million and by 2011, it was 62.74 million. The main reason is down to natural change however migration is now one of the largest contributors to the growing population.
Birth rates trends and reasons
Overall since 1901 there has been a decline in birth rates aside from baby booms after both world wars. Women are having fewer children and tend to have children when they are older mainly due to prioritising education and going to university, development of reliable contraception and fewer family size. Harper suggests as IMR goes down there is less need to have additional children to replace them. Children have become an economic liability and restrict opportunities.
Consequences of changes in fertility
Dual incomes could lead to dual burden
Dependency ratio - fewer children means burden of dependency will initially decrease but fewer people are working to support the elderly population
Public services - less need for schools and teachers
Mortality and death rates trends and reasons
The number of deaths in the UK have declined due to advances in medical science, free healthcare, improved nutrition, healthier lifestyles
Increased life expectancy
As death rates have declined, life expectancy has increased due to similar reasons to decline in death rate
Aging population
Reduced mortality rates, birth rates and increased life expectancy it means the portion of the population that are elderly is becoming larger. Eg the number of over 65s has grown between 1971 and 2006 by 31% while the number of under 16s has declined by 19%. In the UK this is seen as negative as it could lead to ageism
Consequences of ageing population
Greater strain on public services
Job opportunities for young people
Elderly occupying jobs
The cost of social care
Increased stress and problems for the family
Migration
The movement of people - could be immigration or emigration
Immigration
In the past the number of individuals immigrating to the UK was less than those emigrating from the UK up until 1980s. From 1990 to WW2 biggest immigrant group was Irish but after WW2 immigrants from Caribbean and South Asia were invited to Britain to help rebuild the economy which made Briain more ethnically diverse
Effect of migration on dependency ratio
Migrants tend to be younger and have high fertility rates which may increase dependency ratio as they may have children and require more services
Emigration
Since 1900, majority of emigration in the UK has been to old commonwealth countries like Canada and Australia. Largely motivated by economic factors like job opportunities
Globalisation
The spread of people, products and ideas across the world and the idea it is becoming increasingly interconnected
Consequences of globalisation
increase migration
super diversity
Feminism and migration
Talk about the ‘mail order bride’ becoming more popular with globalisation with men from western cultures going to the east to find a more traditional an dsubservient wife and say it could lead to sex trafficking and sex tourism
