Paper 3 revision: population

Population Distribution

Population distribution in the UK

Yangzte River

Gobi Desert

Shanghai

Beijing

Low Population density of less than 10 per sq km in Gobi Desert.Arid desertRemote so less trade and poor communications

High population density of more than 1000 people per sq kmDo not have extreme climates, flat land (good for building and farming), better rainfallMajor ports- good trade and goods can easily be transportedIn 1970s government introduced a strategy for coastal development drew in workers, especially around Shanghai

High population density along Yangzte RiverWater supplyGood trade (especially since opening of 3 Gorges Dam between Chongching and Shanghai

Physical factorsHuman factors

Population growth

The Demographic transition model

Reasons for changes to birth and death rates

• The rate at which a population grows depends upon two factors: the number of births and the number of deaths. By subtracting the deaths from births we are able to calculate a country’s natural increase, the higher this number the faster the rate of growth. A negative result means the country’s population is shrinking.

Natural increase: when birth rate is higher than death rate

Reasons for changes to birth and death rates

• The rapid growth of the past 100 years has mainly resulted from a reduction in the death rate brought about by better hygiene, diet, water supply and medicine. Although the death rate has fallen, birth rates have remained high in many LICs due to social norms and economic needs – child often work for their parents and support them in old age. Population growth in Europe and other HICs has slowed considerably, and even gone into reverse, as a result of later marriage, women wanting careers and the increased cost of bringing up a child.

What actions can governments take to change the birth rate?

• Increasing birth rate (pro- natalist)Singapore • Parents receive a cash gift of up to $6000 per child.• Government funding used to reduced the cost of nurseries• Preferential access to the best schools given to parents with large families• Expanding families given spacious flats and outdoor space. • Pregnant women are provided with counselling to discourage ‘abortions’ or

sterilisation after birth.• Maternity and paternity leave extended.• Parents receive annual paid childcare leave.• Parents with young children receive an extra payment from the government to help

them pay for a maid ($95 per week).

This is the specific case study detail (on the incentives and disincentives) which is enough to reach level 2- you need to be able to explain these factors to reach level 3

DECREASING BIRTHS – CHINA

• In a controversial attempt to control the size of its population the Chinese government introduced the one-child policy in 1981. For almost 20 years no couple was allowed more than one child and those that did were severely penalised. Since 1996 the policy has been relaxed a little, particularly in rural areas where couples are allowed to have a second child if their first was a girl. The government tried to control family size by:

• Couples with only one child were given a ‘one-child certificate’ which entitled them to

cash bonuses, better childcare, longer maternity leave, and preferential access to housing. • Unmarried young people were persuaded to postpone marriage, and couples without

children advised to wait their turn. People were monitored by the ‘granny police’- these women made regular household visits to check the family status and which contraceptives they were using.

• Couples who already had a child were urged to undergo sterilisation, those with two or more were virtually forced to be sterilised.

• Couples who decided to have two or more children could be fined, demoted at work or even sacked!

Be able to explain these as incentives and disincentives

Characteristics of population

The UK census

• Every 10 years the British government carries out a census. A census literally counts everyone and records their characteristics (gender, age, ethnicity, religion, occupation etc...). When the results gathered are compared with those of the previous census demographers can get an image of how a population is changing. This information can be used by many groups, including local councils and national governments, to estimate future service needs, and in some cases to identify potential future problems.

The type of question you will be asked

Population pyramids

Youthful populations• Countries have a large proportion of their population below the age of 16. There

will be a high number of youthful dependents.

• These countries tend to be struggling with rapid population growth, as it is the young adult category (18 to 30 year olds) who are most likely to be starting / expanding their family. As a population grows, countries often find it increasingly difficult to provide housing, employment and services for its people. In particular, the provision of child care and school places can come under considerable stress. E.g. Gambia has to run a 2 shift system at school and many teachers have to work 16 hour days. There can be a strain on natural resources. E.g. In the Gambia fuelwood is being depleted cauing desertification as more wood is needed.

• On the positive side, youthful populations often result in an expansion of the workforce which can boost a country’s competitiveness and stimulate economic growth.

For a country you have studied explain the impacts of a youthful population (6)

Ageing populationsCountries have a large proportion of their population in the over 65 category.

• An ageing population will lead to increased demand for care homes, sheltered housing and medical facilities. The economy of ageing countries can be hindered by a lack of workers, making it difficult for businesses to recruit and remain competitive. In some countries an ageing population has caused a pensions crisis, as the cost of supporting ‘long-living’ pensioners falls on a smaller and smaller working population.

• However, ageing populations are now all doom and gloom. In Britain pensioners are amongst the biggest spenders, particularly boosting the leisure and retail sectors. Healthy British pensioners are also making a new role for themselves, providing child care for friends and family, whilst volunteering for local groups and charities. In Japan new technologies (such as robots) have been developed to help support the ageing population.

Ageing populations