Topic 1- Population

Question 1

What has been happening to the world’s population since 1804?

Answer 1

The population has been growing exponentially and this is seen as a ‘j curve’ on a graph.

Question 2

How has agricultural change affected the population?

Answer 2

• Due to improving technology, our yields have increased and labour has been saved. This frees up workers for industry and gives them a chance to have families.
• With the number of factories increasing, less labour is required so the need/ desire for larger families decrease.

Question 3

How has urbanisation decreased the rate of population growth?

Answer 3

In order to seek better education for children, large scale migration to urban cities have taken place. In urban areas, child labour is of less value. Therefore in urbanised, there is usually a lower rate of population growth.

Question 4

How has the changing status of women decreased the rate of population growth?

Answer 4

As the economy develops, literacy rates increase and there are more educated people and jobs available. As the female emancipation rate is increasing, men and women are become more and more equal. As a result of this, women are getting more jobs and therefore prioritise this over family and marry later= less children.

Question 5

What are the characteristics of stage 1 of the DTM?

Answer 5

Pre 1760, (e.g. Traditional Rainforest Tribes)
-High fluctuating
-High Birth Rates and death rates
* these fluctuate due to disease, famine and war*
Overall, a stable population.

Question 6

What are the characteristics of stage 2 of the DTM?

Answer 6

1760-1880 (e.g. Afghanistan)

• High birth rates
• Death rate decreases
• population grows rapidly*
• early expanding.

Question 7

What are the characteristics of stage 3 of the DTM?

Answer 7

1880-1940 (e.g. Most countries at lower stages of development = India, Kenya, Brazil)

• birth rate drops rapidly
• death rate continues to decrease but not as fast
• population still grows, but at a steady rate*
• late expanding

Question 8

What are the characteristics of stage 4 of the DTM?

Answer 8

Post 1940 (e.g. Most countries at higher stages of development= USA, France, Germany)

• Low birth rate
• Low death rate
• fluctuates depending on economic situation*
• low fluctuating

Question 9

What are the characteristics of stage 5 of the DTM?

Answer 9

Natural decrease- e.g. Italy, Germany, Japan.

• very low birth rate (goes under death rate)
• death rate increases
• overall population begins to decrease*
• Ageing population.

Question 10

What do population pyramids show?

Answer 10

• % of different age groups and gender.
• what stage a country is in the DTM.
• changes in birth and death rates.

Question 11

What does a wide base represent on a population pyramid?

Answer 11

High birth rate

Question 12

What does a narrow top represent in a population pyramid?

Answer 12

• High death rate

- Low life expectancy

Question 13

What do steep sides represent in a population pyramid?

Answer 13

High death rates.

Question 14

What are the characteristics of a stage 5 population pyramid?

Answer 14

Narrow base= low birth rate
Similar amounts of people in each age group= low death rate
Wide top= high life expectancy

Question 15

Why do ageing populations occur?

Answer 15

• Health care has improved: longer lives.
• Later marriage: fewer/no children.
• Education: more knowledge on contraception and birth control.

Question 16

What does an ageing population require?

Answer 16

• state pensions
• medical provisions (e.g care homes, professionals to help them with domestics)
• social provisions (home help, meals on wheels, suitable housing)

Question 17

What are the problems with an ageing population?

Answer 17

• unattractive to young people
• pensioners have reduced incomes
• more pensions are needed which puts a strain on the economy.
• more health problems, which puts a strain on doctors and the NHS.
• specialised housing is needed and this is expensive.

Question 17

What are the benefits of an ageing population?

Answer 17

• elderly contribute around £215 million to the economy
• they look after grandchildren so less nurseries are needed and therefore costs the government less.
• they do a lot of voluntary work
• a lot of public transport is required which gives more jobs.

Question 18

What are the problems that come with over population?

Answer 18

• Not enough resources are available for the population which can lead to starvation and malnutrition.
• Shortages of housing and medical and educational services.
• Unemployment as there are not enough jobs for the whole population. This leaves individuals in poverty and puts a strain on benefits.
• Areas are overcrowded and have poor living conditions.

Question 19

What is overpopulation ?

Answer 19

When a country has more people than the amount of resources can support.

Question 20

What is under population ?

Answer 20

When a country has more resources than the number of people.

Question 21

What are the problems with under population?

Answer 21

• there are not enough people to exploit the resources available.
• there are not enough people to pay taxes to the government for services.
• there is a lot of unemployment and skill shortages which is bad for the economy.
• often an ageing population.

Question 22

What is a sustainable population?

Answer 22

A population who’s growth and development is at a stage which doesn’t compromise the needs of the future generations. It should not harm the quality of life or environment.

Question 23

What is an anti-natalist policy?

Answer 23

Policies that discourage people from having children.

Question 24

What is a pro-Natalie’s policy?

Answer 24

A policy that encourages people to have children.

Question 25

Why do we encourage immigration?

Answer 25

• can help address under population
• can help address labour shortages as they often do jobs that we don’t want to do.
• immigrants add to the country’s talent and culture.
• working immigrants pay taxes which helps pay for services.

Question 26

Why discourage immigration?

Answer 26

• can lead to over population and ‘alienate’ the native population.
• fear by the native population that immigrants are ‘taking their jobs’.
• Discrimination and abuse to immigrants.
• perception that immigrants take advantage of state benefits
• pressure on housing, healthcare and education.

Question 27

What is migration ?

Answer 27

The flow of people in and out of a country. Governments tend to mange migration in order to control the country’s population.