How/Why Birth Rates, Death Rates And The Population Of The World Have Changed Since 1700

Question 1

Describe and explain stage 1.

Answer 1

Most countries had very high birth and death rates.
This stopped the population from growing, so it was quite low.
By 1650 the world’s population was only about 500 million.

Question 2

Describe and explain stage 2.

Answer 2

Some richer countries reduced their death rates with better food and healthcare.
The birth rate however was still high which meant the population of the world increased.

Question 3

Describe and explain stage 3.

Answer 3

After a while, richer countries reduced their birth rates also, as more children were surviving. A reduction in birth rates was also due to more widespread use of birth control.
Their populations kept growing, just not as fast, as growth rate had decreased.

Question 4

Describe and explain stage 4.

Answer 4

As rich countries became more developed, birth rates and death rates reached a low level.
This means that their population remains high but stops growing.

Question 5

Explain why the populations of LEDCs are still increasing rapidly today.

Answer 5

Birth rates are still high in LEDCs. This means levels of natural increase are very high and therefore, the population increases rapidly.

Question 6

Give an economic reason for high birth rates.

Answer 6

Many children are needed to work on the land.

Question 7

Give three social reasons for high birth rates.

Answer 7

1. No birth control available
2. So many children in LEDCs die in infancy that parents produce more hoping that several will live
3. Religious beliefs such as Islam encourage large families.

Question 8

Give an economic reason for high death rates.

Answer 8

Few hospitals, doctors, or medication

Question 9

Give three social reasons for high death rates.

Answer 9

1. Diseases such as cholera
2. Famine
3. Poor hygiene, due to no piped clean water or sewage disposal.

Question 10

Give two political reasons for high death rates.

Answer 10

1. Governments can be corrupt and not spend money encouraging food production, so that harvests are poor and people do not have enough food
2. Countries at war have high death rates, because land is destroyed such as farmland and homes, and people are killed.

Question 11

Give an environmental reason for high death rates.

Answer 11

Natural disasters

Question 12

Give two economic reasons for a fall in death rates.

Answer 12

1. Improvements in both quality and quantity of food production
2. Improved transport to move food, doctors, etc.

Question 13

Give three social reasons for a fall in death rates.

Answer 13

1. Improved medical care, such as hospitals, plenty of qualified doctors and vaccinations
2. Improved sanitation
3. Decrease in child mortality.

Question 14

Give two economic reasons for a fall in birth rates.

Answer 14

1. Increased industrialisation and mechanisation means fewer labourers are needed
2. Increased desire for material possessions, such as cars and holidays, and less for large families.

Question 15

Give one political reason for a fall in birth rates

Answer 15

Government incentive to lower birth rates

Question 16

Give two social reasons for a fall in birth rates.

Answer 16

1. A lower infant mortality rate means there is less need to have so many children
2. Emancipation of women has enabled them to follow their own careers and not just have to be solely child bearers.