Population

Question 1

Census

Answer 1

• Census is a survey carried out every ten years to gather population data.
• Each householder is asked to complete a detailed questionnaire about the number of people living in their home, their age, gender, employment, home and languages spoken.

Question 2

Scottish Household Survey

Answer 2

Scottish Household Survey is a continuous survey based on a random sample of the population which is cheaper than carrying out a full census.

Question 3

Civil registrations

Answer 3

Civil registrations of births, marriages and deaths keep an up to date count of the population.

Question 4

Government records

Answer 4

• Information on migration may be gathered from visa applications or Borders Agency.
• Data from electoral roll and NHS records allows population data to be updated in between census collection.

Question 5

National Population Sample Surveys

Answer 5

In China National Population Sample Surveys have been conducted annually, with 1% of the population being asked to complete the form.

Question 6

Sampling

Answer 6

Population surveys are conducted to gather social and economic data, and can be conducted at regional, national or international levels.

Question 7

Language barriers

Answer 7

• Countries with many official languages have to translate their census forms and employ enumerators who can speak multiple languages.
• Eg. Nigeria has six major languages and hundreds of unofficial languages requiring more enumerators.

Question 8

Literacy levels

Answer 8

Many people can’t read and write, and therefore are unable to complete the forms, or might make mistakes unintentionally

Question 9

Population size

Answer 9

• The sheer size of some populations make it very difficult to conduct a census.
• Eg. China and India.

Question 10

Inaccessibility

Answer 10

• Poor infrastructure and difficult terrain may make it difficult for enumerators to distribute census forms.
• Eg. Amazon Rainforest.

Question 11

Wars

Answer 11

Conflict can make it too dangerous for enumerators to enter, or for data to quickly become dated.

Question 12

Cost

Answer 12

• Undertaking the census is a very expensive process, even for developed world countries.
• In developing countries, there may be higher priorities for spending, including housing, education and health care.

Question 13

Homelesness

Answer 13

• Many people in developing countries may be living in shanty towns, or are homeless, so have no official address making it difficult to count them.
• Eg. Dhararvi.

Question 14

Impact of high birth rate and growing populations

Answer 14

1. A higher birth rate means there will be more children, so significant investment is required in maternity hospitals and immunisation programmes.
2. It will be necessary to build more schools and train more teachers to support the growing number of young people.
3. The total population will increase significantly putting additional pressure on services and resources like health.
4. In many developing countries housing is already overcrowded and a growing population means that this is likely to continue, with many people being forced to live in shanty town housing.
5. There will be a larger potential workforce which may attract multinational companies to the country.
6. An increase in the active age group, however, could also result in higher levels of unemployment or underemployment.
7. Government policies may promote smaller families or encourage emigration to reduce the problems of over-population.

Question 15

Impact of declining and ageing populations

Answer 15

1. The increase in elderly will lead to an increased cost of pensions to the government and increased tax contributions for the economically-active population.
2. The retirement age may need to be increased and more services for older people provided, such as care homes.
3. There will be an increased strain/costs on the Health Service to meet the needs of the ageing population for example more hip-replacements or heart medication.
4. The economically active group gets smaller and has to support a growing dependent population.
5. A declining population may mean a lower unemployment rate in the future, however a decrease in the economically active population may lead to a skills gap.
6. Citizens may be encouraged to invest in private healthcare schemes and/or pensions
7. There may also be more demands placed on adult children to care for elderly parents
8. A falling birth rate may lead to a decline in demand for services for children such as schools.
9. In the longer term, companies may have difficulty recruiting young workers.

Question 16

Push factors- Poland to UK migration

Answer 16

• Not enough jobs with very few opportunities. Eg. in 2014 the unemployment rate in Poland was around 14%.
• Low paying jobs resulting in a low standard of living. Eg. poor quality housing.
• State benefits were very low compared to the UK. Healthcare in the UK is free at the point of delivery.
• Due to increased mechanisation/privatisation of farms rural unemployment rose sharply.

Question 17

Pull factors- Poland to UK migration

Answer 17

• Due to Poland joining the European Union, this allowed people to move freely with unlimited migration.
• Immigrant Polish workers earned wages five times greater than they could get at home.
• The exchange rate meant that the sterling conversion into zloty was favourable and meant that people could send money back to family members in Poland.
• There were plenty of available jobs in parts of the economy such as in construction and trades such as plumbers and electricians.
• Better provision of services, eg the NHS
• The number of Poles living in the UK meant that communities of friends and family were established – this became a pull factor.