Demography

Question 1

Birthin (1/2)- REASONS FOR THE DECLINE IN BIRTH RATE

Answer 1

1.Changes in the position of women- Increased educational opportunities, more women in paid work, change in attitude towards family life and the women’s role, wider access to abortion and contraception.

2. Fall in infant mortality rate - improved housing, sanitation, nutrition, knowledge of hygiene and child health, improved technology, antibiotics.
3. **Children as an economic liability **- Laws banning child labour coupled with the introduction of compulsory schooling has meant children remain economically dependent for longer, changing norms about children’s right to a high standard of living raises their cost.
4. Child centredness - childhood is now socially constructed and uniquely important period of life, parents focus on quality not quantity, meaning they have fewer children but lavish more attention and resources on them.​

Question 2

Births (2/2)- IMPACT OF A DECLINING BIRTH RATE

Answer 2

• The dependency ratio increases - the relationship between the size of the working population and the non-working (dependent) population.
• The working population’s earnings support the dependent population through tax.
• Women are having fewer children because this reduces the ‘burden of dependency’.
• Public services - fewer schools, child health services etc.

Question 3

Deaths-
REASONS FOR A DECLINE IN DEATH RATE

Answer 3

• Improved nutrition
• Medical improvements (vaccinations, antibiotics, NHS)
• Public health improvements (better housing, clean water, clean air)
• Social change (decline in manual labour, greater knowledge of disease)

Question 4

Ageing population (1/2)- REASONS FOR AN AGEING POPULATION

Answer 4

The average age in the UK is increasing because of

• Increased life expectancy
• Low infant mortality rate
• Declining fertility

Question 5

Ageing population (1/2)-
IMPACT OF AN AGEING POPULATION

Answer 5

• Increased strain on public services
• More one-person households
• The rising dependency ratio
• Ageism

Question 6

Ageing population (2/2)- MARXIST

Answer 6

The old are of no use to capitalism because they are no longer productive and an economically dependent group, adding to the dependency ratio.

Question 7

Ageing population (2/2)- POSTMODERNIST

Answer 7

We can choose our identity no matter what our age is: our age no longer determines who we are. As a result of this, the elderly become a market for body maintenance and rejuvenation services and goods, such as cosmetic surgery, gym membership and anti-ageing products.

Question 8

MIGRATION

Answer 8

IMMIGRATION:
Movement into a society

EMIGRATION:
Movement put of a society

REASONS FOR MIGRATION
Push factors - unemployment and economic recession
Pull factors - higher wages and better opportunities