Population Geography

Question 1

What are terms that could be used to describe mortality in population pyramids?

Answer 1

• Life expectancy
• Death rate
• Child mortality rate (Under 5)
• Infant mortality rate (Under 1)

Question 2

What is replacement-level fertility?

Answer 2

The number of children a woman and her reproductive partner must have to replace themselves. The worldwide average is usually just above two children per couple because some children die before they reach their reproductive years.

Question 3

In demographics, what is the rate of natural increase?

Answer 3

The percentage by which a population grows in a year. This is the difference between the birth rate and the natural death rate and excludes migration.

Question 4

What are the trends in our current population growth worldwide?

Answer 4

• A large proportion of the world’s population (28%) is under 15, therefore growth will continue
• Fertility rates are declining

Question 5

What demographic trends do LEDCs tend to have?

Answer 5

• Faster growth
• higher death rates (think triangle shape)
• Stage 2 of the demographic transition model

Question 6

What demographic trends do MEDCs tend to have?

Answer 6

• Low birth rates
• Low death rates
• Stage 4 of the demographic transition model

Question 7

What are some issues caused by an aging population?

Answer 7

• A large amount of elderly dependent people
• Labor-force shortages
• Increased expenditure on healthcare

Question 8

What are some advantages of an aging population?

Answer 8

• Many older people remain employed
• A more knowledgeable population
• Decreased tax

Question 9

What are some advantages of a youthful population?

Answer 9

• Large future workforce
• More disposable income per family
• More taxpayers

Question 10

What are some issues caused by a youthful population?

Answer 10

• A large amount of young dependent people
• Increased tax
• Less knowledgable population

Question 11

What needs to be considered when analysing population pyramids?

Answer 11

External migration + reasons

Question 12

Outline the demographic transition model

Answer 12

• Stage 1: High birth and death rates
• Stage 2: Decrease in death rates, therefore rapidly growing population
• Stage 3: Death rates continue to fall and birth rates fall, slowly increasing population
• Stage 4: Birth and death rates remain low, steady population
• Stage 5 (predicted): Birth rates fall below death rates, population declines

Question 13

What factors lead to an increase in fertility rates?

Answer 13

1. Socioeconomic wellbeing (healthcare)
2. Urbanisation
3. Education and opportunities for women
4. Lower age of marriage

Question 14

What factors lead to a decrease in fertility rates?

Answer 14

1. High infant mortality rates
2. High cost of raising children
3. Family size preference

Question 15

What 5 factors affect mortality rates?

Answer 15

• Nutritional standards
• Personal hygiene and sanitation
• Access to clean water
• Infectious diseases
• Access to services and resources (healthcare, immunisation, etc.)

Question 16

What is resettlement migration?

Answer 16

The choice to migrate and settle permanently in hopes of a better quality of life (e.g. work and education)

Question 17

What is the skilled migration stream?

Answer 17

People who migrate permanently and have skill and qualifications in demand.

Question 18

What is the family migration stream?

Answer 18

People who migrate permanently to reunite with people who have already migrated (e.g. by the skilled migration stream)

Question 19

What are remittances?

Answer 19

When migrants send home part of their earnings in the form of either cash or goods to support their families. This can be seen in internal and external migration,

Question 20

What are contract migrations?

Answer 20

Contract migrations are usually undertaken for a specified period and are related to contracted employment. Part of the income earnt is often sent back home to the worker’s family through remittances. There are three types.

Question 21

What are guest workers (contract migration)?

Answer 21

In some parts of the world there are more jobs than there are people willing or able to work. To solve the ensuing labour shortages, governments often permit the entry of guest workers for a specified period of time

Question 22

What are forced migrations?

Answer 22

Usually permanent migrations that involve migration against the will of the people moving (e.g. the slave trade or refugees).

Question 23

What are business migrations?

Answer 23

The migration of highly qualifies executives and professionals for business purposes.

Question 24

What are student migrations?

Answer 24

International migration for education (e.g. student exchange programs).

Question 25

What are the three types of contract migrations?

Answer 25

Guest, business and student

Question 26

What are some examples of internal migrations?

Answer 26

• Rural-urban migrations (urbanisation/counter-urbanisation, megacities, job and education opportunities, better quality of life, etc).
• Patterns of work
• Movements within cities (gentrification, urban consolidation)
• Seasonal movements

Question 27

What are key terms to mention in responses about migrations?

Answer 27

• Purpose (e.g. quality of life)
• Push and pull factors
• Internal vs external

Question 28

What are some issues arising from the changing size and distribution of populations/

Answer 28

• Global inequalities (development)
• Food supply
• Environmental impacts

Question 29

What is a demographic dividend?

Answer 29

When the share of the working-age population is larger than the non-working-age share of the population

Question 30

When are demographic dividends likely to be created?

Answer 30

When birth rates and death rates decrease in Newly Industrialising Countries (NICs)

Question 31

What are terms that can be used to describe parts of a population pyramid?

Answer 31

Top and base