Population structure - chapter 5

Question 1

What can a population pyramid show? 4

Answer 1

1. BR minus DR results in specific age groups.
2. Migration effects.
3. The effects of events e.g. war.
4. Overall LE country indication.

Question 2

How can age structure be measured? 4

Answer 2

1. Dependency ratio.
2. Support ratio.
3. Juvenility index (0-19 years).
4. Old-age index (60+ years).

Question 3

What does the dependency ratio show?

Answer 3

The relationship between the economically active (working) population and the non-economically active (dependent) population.

Question 4

What is the type of shape the UK has, regarding a population pyramid?

Answer 4

Relatively smooth shape, with some slight bulges and indentations.

Question 5

Why was the BR slightly higher in the 1960’s in the UK? - how is this shown on the population pyramid?

Answer 5

1. Sexual revolution.
2. More freedom for women.
3. People from the postwar baby boom were now at a child bearing age themselves.

Question 6

Why was there a relatively large amount of 80+ in the 2001 UK population pyramid?

Answer 6

People born in 1910-1920 came from large families.

High IM

Large family - large source of income - form of security in old age.

DR then fell due to medical care improvements/drugs - large 80+ in 2001.

Question 7

What has happened to the population pyramid regarding young people which resulted in less births in the 1980’s and 1990’s? 4

Answer 7

Young adults less willing to have children.

Contraception, abortion and sterilisation.

Material possessions.

Emancipation of women.

Question 8

What happened in the 1980’s and 1990’s which influenced the BR?

Answer 8

Economic recession.

Women were forced to become the main breadwinners as male employment in mining fell.

Question 9

What has happened to the UK population as a result of all 3 factors?

Answer 9

Ageing population.

By 2021 there will be 3 million over 80 - 5% of the population.

Under 16 have been decreasing.

2011 prediction - 65+ will outrank those who were under 16.

Question 10

What stage is this population pyramid in?

Answer 10

Stage 1.

High fluctuating.

High BR.

Rapid fall in each upward stage due to a high DR.

Short life expectancy.

Question 11

What stage does this population pyramid show?

Answer 11

Stage 2

Early expanding.

Fall in DR so more middle-aged people are alive.

Slightly longer life expectancy.

Question 12

What stage does this population pyramid show?

Answer 12

Stage 3.

Late expanding.

Declining BR and low DR.

More people are living to an older age.

Question 13

What stage does this population pyramid show?

Answer 13

Stage 4.

Low fluctuating.

Low BR and DR.

Higher dependency ratio; longer life expectancy.

Question 14

What proportion of the world was aged 60+ in 2005?

• what percentage is this set to increase to in 2050?
• how many billion people aged 60+ are expected there to be in 2020 and 2050?

Answer 14

2005 - 10% were 60+.

Developing world accounted for 8% and developed world accounted for 20%.

Set to increase to 20% by 2050.

1 billion 60+ in 2020 and 2 billion in 2050.

Question 15

What is demographic ageing?

Answer 15

Rise in the median age of the population

Caused by increased LE, and a decline in fertility.

Question 16

-UN highlighted demographic ageing features-

LE for 1950, 2000, and 2050?

Answer 16

46 years in 1950.

64 years in 2000.

74 years in 2050.

Question 17

-UN highlighted demographic ageing features-

What is the global median age for males in 2000 and 2050?

Answer 17

26 male median years in 2000.

35 male median years in 2050.

Question 18

-UN highlighted demographic ageing features-

What will happen to the proportion of children (16 and under) between 2000 and 2050?

Answer 18

33% under 16 in 2000.

20% under 16 in 2050.

Question 19

-UN highlighted demographic ageing features-

80+ millions for 2005 and 2050?

-how much does this ‘section’ grow annually?

Answer 19

72 80+ million in 2005.

394 80+ million in 2050.

-grows 4.2% annually.

Question 20

-UN highlighted demographic ageing features-

Which continent is the ‘oldest’?

-Elderly proportion of the population in 2000 and 2050.

Answer 20

Europe.

20% elderly proportion in 2000.

35% elderly proportion by 2050.

Question 21

-UN highlighted demographic ageing features-

Which continent is the youngest?

Percentage aged 15- in 2000 and 2050?

Answer 21

Africa.

42% 15- years in 2000.

24% 15- years by 2050.

Question 22

-UN highlighted demographic ageing features-

Which countries have a higher percentage of the elderly?

Which countries have a low percentage?

-how are these percentages set to change by 2050?

Answer 22

25% in Japan, Italy and Germany.

2050 - 40% Japan, Italy and Germany.

5% in most tropical African countries.

2050 - less than 5% in the African countries of Swaziland Liberia.

Question 23

-UN highlighted demographic ageing features-

How many more women percentage wise were there than men aged 60+ .in 2005?

How many more were there than men aged 80+?

Answer 23

2005 - 10% more women than men aged 60+

Twice as many women than men aged 80+.

Question 24

Why do LEDCs face the greatest challenge regarding demographic ageing? 7

+ CHINA EXAMPLE.

Answer 24

1. Financial, health and housing resources are inadequate for the elderly.
2. Traditional elderly support mechanisms are rapidly decreasing.
3. Big decline in fertility - fewer children to care for elderly parents.

‘4:2:1 problem’.

In China, 24% population will be 65+ by 2050.

The first-child generation will have to care for two parents, and four grandparents. It will be made worse by the shortage of females - the traditional carers.

5. The working population (aged 20-59) will shrink by 13 million.
6. x3 as many 80+ than there were in 2003.
7. Fewer than 9 million children/teenagers = 10% decline.

Question 25

What happens when people move out of an area to the population pyramid?

Answer 25

The younger adults (20-34 years old) migrate, leaving behind an older population.

Males more likely to migrate - indention.

BR falls and DR rises.