Section B Population questions (7 marks)

What are the impacts of population growth on urban services in Bangladesh?

Urban areas like Dhaka experience overcrowded hospitals, shortages of clean water, and overburdened schools due to a population density of 1,265 people per km².

How does population growth lead to resource depletion in Bangladesh?

Over 45% of Bangladeshis rely on agriculture, resulting in soil degradation and overuse of groundwater. Deforestation has accelerated, with a 2.6% loss of forest cover between 2000 and 2020.

What effect does population growth have on employment in Bangladesh?

Bangladesh faces high underemployment, with youth unemployment at 11.3%. Each year, 2 million people enter the workforce, straining job availability.

How does environmental degradation manifest in Bangladesh due to population pressures?

40% of the population lives in areas prone to flooding, which is worsened by climate change. Regular cyclones and monsoons destroy infrastructure annually.

How does rapid population growth create political tension in Bangladesh?

Land disputes and urban overcrowding lead to conflicts, particularly over land rights and slum evictions in Dhaka.

What is the dependency ratio, and how is it calculated?

The Dependency Ratio is the ratio of the non-working (young + elderly) population to the working-age population. It is calculated as: (Number of dependents (young + old) / Working-age population (15–64)) × 100.

Why is Japan's dependency ratio increasing?

Japan's dependency ratio rose to 68.4% in 2023 due to an ageing population and low birth rates.

How has rural-to-urban migration affected Japan's population structure?

Rural regions like Akita Prefecture have over 40% elderly, while younger populations concentrate in urban areas like Tokyo.

What policies has Japan implemented to manage its ageing population?

Japan raised the retirement age to 65 and promoted female workforce participation to reduce the strain on its dependency ratio.

How does underpopulation affect resource utilization in Australia?

With a population of 25 million spread across 7.692 million km², many of Australia's mineral reserves in Western Australia remain underexploited.

What sectors are most affected by labor shortages in Australia?

Agriculture and mining face significant labor shortages, prompting reliance on 457 Visas for skilled migrants.

How does underpopulation impact service provision in Australia?

Remote areas like the Northern Territory struggle to maintain schools and hospitals due to low population density.

What strategy does Australia use to counter underpopulation?

Australia targets 190,000 migrants per year to fill workforce gaps, with most settling in Sydney and Melbourne.

Why does Uganda have a youthful population?

Uganda has a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 5.5 children per woman as of 2022, driven by high birth rates and low use of contraception.

How does a youthful population impact education services in Uganda?

Over 50% of the population is under 15, creating overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages. Schools struggle to maintain adequate facilities.

What are the economic impacts of a youthful population in Uganda?

Uganda's youth unemployment rate is 13.3%, with many young people working in informal sectors with low wages and job insecurity.

How does Uganda's youthful population affect healthcare services?

High birth rates and young dependents increase demand for maternal and child healthcare, straining local clinics and hospitals.

What strategies has Uganda implemented to manage its youthful population?

Introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE), youth empowerment programs, and contraception awareness to slow population growth.

How does an ageing population impact healthcare in Italy?

23% of Italy's population is over 65 years old, leading to high healthcare spending (9.5% of GDP).

Why is pension funding a challenge for Italy's ageing population?

Italy spends 16% of its GDP on pensions, creating financial strain due to early retirement policies.

What labor market issues are caused by Italy's ageing population?

With youth unemployment at 23.1%, Italy increasingly relies on immigrants for jobs in agriculture and manufacturing.