4.2 Population structures

Question 1

2 methods to show population structure

Answer 1

1. age/sex diagram // also called population pyramid
2. Demographic transition model (DTM)

Question 2

Explain how the shape of age/sex diagram can show population structure

Answer 2

wider base –> higher BR
steeper / little change in length –> low DR

Question 3

4 factors that can affect shape of age/sex diagram

Answer 3

population growth
population policies
migration
natural disasters

(*wars/diseases might kill certain age grp but not best answers)

Question 4

define “dependecy”

Answer 4

reliance on support provided by others for survival

Question 5

dependency ratio

Answer 5

Non-econ active population
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ x 100
econ-active population (15-65)

Question 6

limitations of dependency ratio

Answer 6

doesn’t consider unemployment of working age / employment of those aged 65+, or the fact that they may not be economically dependent

Question 7

what causes dependency ratio increase + impacts

Answer 7

if gov heavily invests in edu/healthcare/social security, which are mostly used by the youngest and oldest in a population, more ppl non econ-active and increase dependency ratio –> fewer ppl pay taxes and provide gov w/ the income to provide these services

Question 8

define dtm

Answer 8

theoretical model that shows possible changes in birth and death that may take place in a country over time

Question 9

DTM
y-axis
x-axis
the 3 lines

Answer 9

Births and deaths / 1000 ppl per year
High and low

1 - high fluctuating
2- early expansion
3 - late expansion
4- low fluctuating
5 - decline

birth, death, total population

Question 10

Characteristics of DTM stage 1 + reasons + eg

Answer 10

high fluctuating
- ppl born and die at the same time, BR DR almost cancel out each other → low natural increase, may even decrease

• famine, war, diseases, natural disasters

-pre-industrialised society like tribes

Question 11

Characteristics of DTM stage 2 + reasons + eg

Answer 11

• rapid fall in DR, similar BR –> population increase, natural increase (B>D)
  -improved farming increase food supply + better nutrition/sanitation/healthcare/transport

Niger

Question 12

Characteristics of DTM stage 3 + reasons + eg

Answer 12

rapid fall in BR

• Edu on family planning/contraception
• living costs ↑ = children costs ↑
• stricter laws on child labor

Philippines

Question 13

Characteristics of DTM stage 4 + eg

Answer 13

Low fluctuating
fall in DR BR –> population increase and stable

Question 14

Characteristics of DTM stage 5 + reasons

Answer 14

DR > BR

-availability of same-sex relationships
-job opportunities for women
-lifestyle changes (eg obesity/smoking)

just a hypothetical stage ***

Question 15

Pros of DTM

Answer 15

1. Universal concept can be applied to all countries
2. Flexible timeline
3. Allows for comparisons to be made
4. Easy to understand

Question 16

Cons of DTM

Answer 16

1. Countries may not follow linear progression - diseases like hiv can put model in reverse
2. Og model doesn’t include stage 5 and cant predict when changes will occur
3. Doesn’t consider migration/diseases/war/gov policies
4. Ignores regional differences within a country
5. Eurocentric ; assumes all countries will follow the way EU developed

Question 17

Define “youthful population”

Answer 17

high proportion of young dependents aged under 15

Question 18

4 reasons for youthful population

Answer 18

1. High BR
2. Migration
3. Low infant mortality
4. Lack of care for old dependents ↑ DR in that age grp → ↑ youths ratio
   (*dont neccessarily have to increase NO. of young dependents but the ratio!)

Question 19

advantages of youthful population

Answer 19

1. More literate/educated population
2. Abundant future workers
3. DR ↓

Question 20

issues of youthful population

Answer 20

1. Abundant future workers -> unemployment crisis
2. Short term worker shortage [b4 youths grow up]
3. Spending diverted from other areas for edu/healthcare
4. Resource strain (overcrowded schools, food insecurity)

Question 21

5 solutions of youthful population

Answer 21

1. Anti-natalist policies
2. Privatised edu/healthcare
3. Remove child benefits
4. Education on fam planning/contraception
5. Greater care of old dependents ↓ DR in elderly

Question 22

5 reasons why its hard for LICs to solve youthful population issues

Answer 22

1. Cultural/religious resistance
2. Climatic issues –> econ instability, hinder reforms
3. Corruption in gov diverts edu/healthcare fundings
4. Dependency trap; relies on foreign aid which prioritises immediate emergency relief over long-term development
5. Poverty cycle; large families –> less investment per child –> keeps them in poverty –> more large families.

Question 23

define “aging population”

Answer 23

high proportion of elderly dependents

Question 24

4 causes of aging population

Answer 24

↓DR
1. improved diet/water/sanitation/healthcare

↓ BR
2. increased opportunities for women
3. increasing costs of having children

4. emigration of econ-active younger population

Question 25

4 advantages of aging population

Answer 25

VELS 1. valuable experience and expertise 2. elderly workers dont need maternity leave and are more willing to work / loyal 3. less money spent on edu/child medical care 4. services - elderly may spend more on services due to more disposable income --> prompt econ activity

Question 26

4 issues of aging population

Answer 26

EHST 1. elderly workers get sick easier and could retire any time / unable to work manual jobs 2. high cost of pensions / healthcare / care homes 3. service reduction - elderly dont use sports facilities/schools 4. tax revenue ↓ --> cut spendings on welfare --> ↑ taxes --> emigration of econ active --> cycle of aging population

Question 27

3 solutions of aging population

Answer 27

PIE ↑BR 1. Pro-natalist policies ↑workforce 2. Increase retirement age so more ppl are working 3. Encourage immigration of econ-active to ↑ workforce