Population 4.2

Question 1

What is the demographic transition model?

Answer 1

A model which shows the changes in a countries birth rate, death rate and total population over time.

Question 2

Examples of countries in each stage of the DTM

Answer 2

1 - Yanomami tribe - amazon
2 - Sudan
3 - Bangladesh
4 - France 
5 - Japan

Question 3

What are the limitations of the DTM?

Answer 3

• Does not account for: migration, disease, natural disasters, war/conflict, population policies.
• Eurocentric so assumes all countries follow the same pattern.
• Ignores regional disparities within countries (Western and Eastern China).
• Leapfrogging occurs (UAE, Saudi)

Question 4

What are the impacts caused by a youthful population?

Answer 4

• Food supply will need to increase to feed the non-productive population.
• Pressure on healthcare services.
• Shortages of schools and nurseries.
• Provision of added services may force an increase in taxation.
• Could cause unemployment in the future.
• Large future workforce could attract TNC’s

Question 5

What are the impacts caused by ageing populations?

Answer 5

• There is an increased demand for health and social care
• It becomes increasingly difficult for governments to provide satisfactory pensions, which are ultimately funded by taxes paid by the working population.
• Industries that provide products for children - for example, pram manufacturers - may suffer
• In the longer term, companies may have difficulty recruiting young workers
• The economically active group gets smaller and has to support a growing dependent population

Question 6

Case Study: Japan’s Ageing Population

Answer 6

Causes:

• Increased employment rates and career choices for women have meant that they have less time to raise a child due to very long working hours.
• Many people live in very small living spaces, often sharing flats and houses with others.
• It is very expensive to raise a child in Japan.
• Death rates are also decreasing because of improved medical care, very healthy diets, and high levels of personal and communal hygiene.

Impacts

• Healthcare and nursing will cost $1 trillion in 2025.
• 46% dependency ratio.
• Results in increased taxes and government spending.

Response:

• Retirement age = 70.
• The government has enforced the idea of an ‘age free society’ which encourages people to work later.
• They have also introduced incentives to parents of those who are having children such as increased maternity/paternity leave and pay. The Bandai Corp offers $10,000 to every employee for every child they have after their first.
• Relaxed immigration laws to encourage immigration.

Question 7

Case Study: Gambia’s Youthful Population

Answer 7

• Short life expectancy and high young dependency ratio.
• 45% of the population is under 15 years old; this means the country relies on them to contribute to the working population.
• High unemployment rates in the country due to a lack of opportunities.
• Fertility rate of 5.15 in 2019.
• Government aid is helping the population cope with their current situations through infant care and education of women.
• They did a contraception campaign in an effort to raise awareness through tv adverts and radio ads.
• Price of contraception is subsidized by the world health organization to make it more affordable.

Question 8

What is development?

Answer 8

Development is the increase in the total value of goods and services produced by a country, leading to an improvement in social and economic well-being.

Question 9

What is HDI?

Answer 9

• Human Development Index which measures development.

Question 10

Which factors does HDI consider?

Answer 10

• Purchasing power parity.
• Educational provision and expected years of schooling.
• Life expectancy at birth.