Unit 1 content

Question 1

Identify three physical factors that affect the distribution of population at the global scale

Answer 1

climate, soil fertility, relief, access to water and availability of mineral resources.

Question 2

identify two human factors that affect the distribution of population at the global scale

Answer 2

mineral resources, ease of communication and level of development.

Question 3

state the meaning of the following acronyms: CPE, NIC, LIC, HIC

Answer 3

Centrally planned economies
newly industrializing countries
low income countries
high income countries

Question 4

describe the main patterns of migration in China

Answer 4

Between 1990 and 1995, the pattern of migration was quite varied. The largest flows were to the south-east and east, but there were also flows to the west. However, by 2000–2005, the sources
of migrants were more concentrated (largely from the eastern side of the country) and the destinations were very much concentrated on the south and east coastal regions.

Question 5

Briefly explain two physical reasons for the distribution of population in China

Answer 5

Much of the land is too high/steep and too dry to support much agriculture or people.

Question 6

name the political system in South Africa that was responsible for the redistribution of the population

Answer 6

the Apartheid

Question 7

identify the main areas of high population density in South Africa

Answer 7

Gauteng/Mpumalanga, Durban/KwaZulu-Natal, and Cape Town/Eastern Cape.

Question 8

explain two contrasting reasons for the distribution of population in South Africa

Answer 8

Physical factors such as the amount of rainfall and distribution of mountains affect populations density, as does the distribution of mineral resources and the apartheid/separatist policies of the South African government.

Question 9

state the proportion of population in China that live on the most densely populated 0.5% of the land

Answer 9

In China 11 per cent of the population live on the most densely populated 0.5 per cent of the land.

Question 10

state the proportion of population in China that live on the least densely populated 50% of the land

Answer 10

Less than 4% of the population of China live on the least densely populated 50% of the area.

Question 11

describe the main changes shown by the DTM

Answer 11

The main changes shown by the demographic transition model are those from high birth rates and death rates to low birth rates and death rates. Death rates tend to fall earlier than birth rates, allowing the population size to increase.
Towards the end of the transition, death rates increase as the population ages.

Question 12

outline the main characteristics of Ireland’s DTM

Answer 12

Ireland’s demographic transition model (after the 1840s’ potato famine) was characterized by rising death rates and falling birth rates (due to the emigration of young people, and the resulting ageing population).

Question 13

define the term “natural increase”

Answer 13

Natural increase is the increase in population as a result of birth rates being higher than death rates

Question 14

how is doubling time calculated?

Answer 14

Doubling time is calculated by dividing 70 (years) by the rate of natural increase (per cent), and is expressed in years.

Question 15

describe the main pattern of the total fertility rate (TFR) at the global scale

Answer 15

The highest rates of fertility (that is, over five children per woman) are largely found in Sub- Saharan Africa. There are a few exceptions
found in the Middle east and West Asia and the Philippines. The lowest fertility rates (fewer than two children per woman) are largely found in high income and middle income countries such as Canada and the USA, Russia, China, the UK, most of Europe, Australia and Brazil.

Question 16

describe the main pattern of life expectancy at the global scale

Answer 16

The highest life expectancies are found in HICs, such as Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, and north-west Europe.
Most other areas, such as the Americas, Eastern Europe, MENA and most of Asia have life expectancies of over 70 years.
The lowest life expectancies (less than 70 years) are found in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. There are a few exceptions in South America and central Asia. The very lowest life expectancy (less than 50 years) are found in central north Africa.

Question 17

distinguish between the dependency ratio and the ageing ratio

Answer 17

The dependency ratio is the number of young and elderly in relation to the adult working population. In contrast, the ageing ratio is the number of 65+ year olds in relation to the number of 20–64 year olds.

Question 18

suggest reasons for the growth of megacities

Answer 18

The main reasons for the growth of megacities
is migration (workers in seek of better paid jobs) and the age-structure of the population. Having a youthful population structure leads to an increase in the birth rate and a decrease in the death rate.
Employment opportunities and investment by companies and the government encourages people to move to megacities.

Question 19

outline three different types of forced migration

Answer 19

Different types of forced migration include conflict-induced displacement (for example, war in Syria); development-induced displacement (for example, the Three Gorges Dam), and disaster- induced displacement (for example, eruption of Soufriere volcano, Montserrat).

Question 20

briefly explain the impacts of forced migration

Answer 20

The impact of forced migration may include the increase is internally displaced people or refugees; people living in poverty or forced to depend on aid for survival; a strain on health, education
and public utilities; reduced access to water and sanitation; spread of disease.

Question 21

explain the term “older dependency ratio”

Answer 21

The older dependency ratio refers to the balance between the number of over 65 year olds, and the working population that support them.

Question 22

describe Japan’s population structure

Answer 22

Japan has an ageing population. Over 25% of the population is over 65 years old, and the percentage of young people is less than 15%, and falling rapidly. The proportion of very old (over 75 years) is increasing, and is set to become the dominant cohort by 2050. The shape of the population pyramid tells us that Japan has a low birth rate and a low death rate.

Question 23

distinguish between pro-natalist policies and anti-natalist policies

Answer 23

Pro-natalist policies encourage people to have children (for example, increased child allowance, provision of maternity and paternity care) whereas anti-natalist policies try to reduce the number of children that people have (for example, China’s historic one child policy).

Question 24

briefly describe the impact of China’s one-child policy

Answer 24

China’s one-child policy is said to have reduced the birth rate and fertility rate in China. It prevented over 400 million births from taking place. However, it has also led to a gender imbalance in the country, infanticide and discrimination against girls and women. It has also led to a shrinking labour force.

Question 25

outline the the successes of Kerala in terms of gender equality

Answer 25

Girls in Kerala are educated to the same standard as boys; there is open access to colleges and universities; jobs in health and education have been open to women since the early 20th century; women have independence in their personal life; the sex ratio is the highest in India; life expectancy is 74 years and the infant mortality rate is low.

Question 26

suggest ways in which gender equality in Kerala could be improved

Answer 26

Most women are in low paid jobs so opening higher paid jobs to women would help improve their status. There are also very few women employed in the legal system. Many women are responsible for collecting water and fuelwood so greater availability of piped water would help. Many women are subject to violence and sexual harassment, many within their own household.

Question 27

outline the main methods of tackling trafficking of people

Answer 27

The main ways of tackling trafficking include increasing public awareness about the risks involved as well as designing policies to prevent trafficking. Governments can start by having up- to-date registration of births and migration into an area.
By allowing trade unions, workers’ rights are more likely to be protected and trafficking reduced.
The three Ps of anti-trafficking are: protection
i.e. increased efforts to protect foreign national victims as well as non-immigrants; prosecution
of traffickers related to forced labour and sexual exploitation, and prevention – to assist other governments to reduce trafficking.

Question 28

evaluate methods to combat the trafficking of people

Answer 28

Anti-trafficking measures have had limited success. Of the 128 countries covered in the
latest UN report, 15 per cent did not record a single conviction. In addition, the number of countries that punished traffickers operating in their territory was very limited. Globally, less
than a quarter of suspects are convicted. Many governments and NGOs believe that confiscating the proceeds of crime is appropriate and effective as a punishment and a deterrent. It also disrupts criminal activity by cutting off some of the funding available, creates an image that crime does not pay, and helps win over public support. Although many countries have laws that allow victims
to claim compensation, trafficked people rarely receive any.

Question 29

define the term “demographic dividend”

Answer 29

The demographic dividend is the advantage that a country receives when there is a bulge in the working/adult population.

Question 30

what are the advantages of a demographic dividend

Answer 30

The advantages of a demographic dividend include an increase in the size of the workforce, an increase in the savings rate; an increase in tax revenue for the country; healthier women with fewer pressures at home; greater investment in the health and education of children, and, greater sending power for the household.