UK in the 21st century Flashcards
Physical characteristics of the UK
Relief - most mountains are located in NW UK esp. Wales and Scotland.
Rainfall - The North and West of the UK generally have higher rainfall due to relief rainfall (SE is 12x drier than North and West)
Human characteristics of the UK
Population density - Uneven (England = more densely populated and Scotland = more sparsely populated).
Land use - 57% of land is used for agriculture and England is the country w the highest amount of urban use in the UK.
Describe 2 issues associated with the human and physical characteristics of the UK:
Water stress: when the demand of water caused by a high population density exceeds the supply of water (in NW, water surplus bc low p.d, and in SE more water stress bc higher p.d).
- less water for crop growth etc, dehydration etc.
Housing shortages - caused when population growth exceeds the number of built homes.
^^currently a housing shortage of 4 million homes in UK - leads to increased homelessness and so poverty etc.
State 2 ways that we can deal with water stress.
- Water transfer schemes, from areas of water surplus to areas of water stress.
- Groundwater can be extracted from underground rocks called aquifers.
How does the pop. of the UK increase?
Positive net migration - immigration exceeds emigration.
Natural increase - birth rates are higher than death rates.
State a trend in the change of the UK’s population (Statistic)
Pop of UK in 2018 was 66M and is predicted to grow to 73M by 2041.
why?
- Positive net migration (pull factors)
- Natural increase (good healthcare)
UK population overview from population pyramid:
Increase in Young Dependent pop (good health care so lower infant mortality rate)
Economically active population increases
Elderly dependent population increases.
Describe the UK’s position in the demographic transition model:
Has remained in stage 4 and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future - low birth rates and lower death rates.
- contraception
- better health care
low stationary population
True or false, the median age of the UK is increasing.
True, so the UK has an ageing population.
Causes of the UK’s ageing population:
-
Increased life expectancy due to better health care and promotion of healthier lifestyles.
^ LINK to NHS - Reduced brith rates due to contraception means falling birth rates.
Effects of UK’s ageing pop:
POSITIVE
- The grey pound: By 2040 elderly ppl will spend 63p for every 1 pound spent, this boosts the UK’s economy
- Elderly people volunteer and can help relatives w childcare.
- Voting - elderly people still vote and have more voting power via the grey vote. They are more politically inclined than younger ppl.
NEGATIVE
- Not enough government pay to pay for state pension
- Old people need more looking after
- Old people have more power via the grey vote, votes are no longer representative.
Spatial distribution of old people:
- Old people are predominantly located in the South Coast of the UK. They leave the busy cities and move to areas that are quieter w milder winters and sunnier summers.
3 responses to the UK’s ageing pop.
- Raising the retirement age to 68 (still have to work and get taxed)
- No more compulsory retirement^^
- Encouragement of immigration (more workers, better for economy)
CASE STUDIES - BLURT:
- Canary Warf
- London Population change
- Uk’s political role in conflict (Ukraine)
What is an economic hub?
The place considered to be a focal point of the country’s economy and trade.
