Populations - Models, Theories & Concepts

Question 1

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

Answer 1

Explains how population growth and structure change over time as countries develop.

Has 5 stages:
1. High birth and death rates
2. Death rate falls (population grows)
3. Birth rate starts to fall
4. Low birth and death rates (stabilisation)
5. Population decline (in some HICs)

Question 2

Core-Periphery Model

Answer 2

Describes how economic, political, and cultural power is spatially distributed.

Core = developed, wealthy areas (e.g., Western Europe, US, Japan)

Periphery = less developed, poorer areas (e.g., Sub-Saharan Africa)

Explains inequality in development and population distribution.

Question 3

Population Pyramids / Population Structure

Answer 3

Visual representations of age and gender distribution.

Shows trends in birth rate, death rate, life expectancy, and migration.

You need to interpret and explain patterns (e.g., wide base = high birth rate, bulges = migration or baby boom).

Question 4

Dependency Ratio & Ageing Population

Answer 4

Used to explain economic and social pressure caused by a large dependent population (young or elderly).

Important for evaluating population policies and challenges.

Question 5

Demographic Dividend

Answer 5

Economic benefit that can occur when a country has a high proportion of working-age people due to falling fertility rates.

Only achieved if the country can provide jobs, education, and healthcare.

Question 6

Migration Models

Answer 6

Push and Pull Factors – Explain why people move.

Voluntary vs. Forced Migration – Understand distinctions and examples.

Internal vs. International Migration – Apply to case studies like China and Ukraine.

Question 7

China vs Niger - Life expectatncy vs GDP/capita graph

Answer 7

China:
significant drop in life expectancy between 1959-1960 due to the Great Chinese Famine
(Estimated 30 million deaths from starvation)

Niger:
fluctuations in GDP/capita over decades (horizontal) - not a steady development like China

Result of the economy being heavily dependent on agriculture - the rainfall variability and swings in crop yields are reflected

Major droughts: 1970s, 1980s, early 2000s.

Also reflects population growth - per capita GDP decreases even with increased output