Demographic trends Flashcards
Demographic trends in the UK since 1900: birth rates, death rates, family size, life expectancy, ageing population, and migration and globalisation (45 cards)
Demography definition
the term used for the study of of the characteristics of human populations such as their size and structure and how these change over time
4 main factors which influence the size of a country’s population
- births
- deaths
- immigration
- emigration
Birth rate definition
the number of live births per 1000 of the population each year
Fertility rate definition
a general term which is used to describe either the general fertility rate or the total fertility rate
General fertility rate definition
the number of live births per 1000 women of child-bearing age (15-44) each year
Total fertility rate definition
the average number of children women will have during their child-bearing years. The number of births depends on the total fertility rate and the number of women of child-bearing age
Infant mortality rate definition
the number of deaths of babies in their first year of life per 1000 live births per year
Death rate (or mortality rate) definition
the number of deaths per 1000 of the population per year
Life expectancy definition
an estimate of how long the average person can be expected to live. Estimates of life expectancy can be based on any age, but the most common are life expectancy at birth and at 1 year
Dependent population definition
that section of the population which is not in work and is supported by those who are, such as under-18s (still in school or in training), pensioners, the unemployed and others living on welfare benefits
The dependent age groups are those under age 18 in compulsory education and those over retirement age
Migration definition
changing the country of usual residence for a period of at least a year, so that the country of destination effectively becomes the country of usual residence
Immigration definition
entering another country for a period of at least a year so that country becomes the one of usual residence
Emigration definition
leaving the usual country of residence for another country for a period of at least a year, so that the country of destination becomes the one of usual residence
Net migration definition
the difference between immigration and emigration, and therefore whether the population of a country or area has gone up or gone down when both emigration an immigration are taken into account. Net migration is usually expressed in terms of a net gain or increase (+) or a net loss or decrease (-) of population
Natural population change definition
changes in the size of population due to changes in the number of births and deaths, excluding migration. Expressed as a natural increase (+) or decrease (-) in population
Population projections definition
predictions of future changes in population size and composition based on past and present population trends
Globalisation definition
the growing interconnectedness of societies across the world, with the spread of the same culture, consumer goods and economic ideology across the globe
Migration - push and pull factors
- push factors include things like escaping poverty, war, famines, lack of jobs and persecution - 11% of immigrants to the UK are asylum seekers (2023, gov)
- pull factors include things like job opportunities, study, higher standard of living, better healthcare and education, more political and religious freedom and joining family
Undocumented workers definition
those who do not have the official documents that are needed to enter, live in or work in a country legally. Commonly referred to as ‘illegal immigrants’
The UK joined the EU in 1973
- in 2004 Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined
- in 2007 Romania and Bulgaria joined
Effects of globalisation on demography in the UK
- more immigration from the EU (38% of all immigrants in 2014)
- more undocumented immigrants (could be up to 1.2 mil in UK currently - gov)
- more asylum seekers (67000 applications last year)
- greater cultural diversity
- changing families - Chambers (2014) suggests that globalisation has led to global family networks as migrants keep in touch with family and increase in surrogate mothers and spouses from abroad and the ‘purchase of intimacy’ eg carers from elsewhere
Pattern of migration 1900-2000
- 1930-1945 thousands of (mostly white) refugees fled to Britain to escape Nazi occupation
- 1950s and 60s the New Commonwealth began with immigrants from the Caribbean in the 50s them from India, Bangladesh Pakistan, Uganda and Kenya in the 60s and 70s - encouraged to immigrate by recruiting teams to solve unskilled labour shortages
- increased ethnic diversity in the UK - 17% of population in 2021 census weren’t white
Pattern of migration 2000s onwards
- increased migration from Eastern Europe as more countries joined the EU (temporary controls over immigration from these places but they ended in 2014)
- Net migration 2023 was between 200,000 and 300,000 (Oxford University)
- in 2013, 15% of immigrants were British citizens returning to the UK, 40% were EU citizens, 15% were from the New Commonwealth (India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone etc) and 10% were from the Old Commonwealth (Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa)`
Impact of migration since 2001
- growing fear and distrust of immigrants have led to creation and growing success of anti-immigration parties and policies (UKIP, Rwanda plan etc)
- migrant workers make valuable contributions to the economy and the workforce (inc healthcare etc)
- most EU countries now have strict immigration policies eg UK immigrants must earn at least £29,000 a year for their partner to receive a VISA (almost £9000 more than full time minimum wage)
