[Unit 1 - Population] 2. Changing populations and places

Explain one reason why death rates fall during Stage 2 of the DTM. [2]

Improvements in healthcare and sanitation [1] reduce deaths from infectious disease and improve survival, causing mortality rates to fall [1].

Explain one reason why fertility rates tend to fall as a country develops. [2]

Women gain greater access to education and employment [1], often delaying marriage and childbirth and reducing the number of children they have [1].

Explain one reason why life expectancy tends to rise with development. [2]

Improved healthcare increases access to vaccination and medical treatment [1], reducing premature deaths and allowing more people to survive into old age [1].

Explain why population can continue growing after fertility begins to fall. [2]

A country may contain a very large cohort of young adults entering reproductive age [1]. Even if each woman has fewer children, the large number of potential parents can keep total births high, creating population momentum [1].

Explain why declining fertility can eventually cause population ageing. [2]

Lower fertility produces smaller younger cohorts [1], so older people make up a progressively larger proportion of the total population [1].

Explain two reasons why fertility tends to decline during demographic transition. [4]

Reason 1: Greater access to contraception allows couples to control family size [1], reducing unintended pregnancies and births [1]. Reason 2: Urbanisation increases the financial cost of raising children [1], so households may choose smaller families [1].

Explain two changes to population structure from Stage 2 to Stage 4. [4]

Change 1: The proportion of children decreases [1] because fertility falls, narrowing the base of the population pyramid [1]. Change 2: The proportion surviving into older age increases [1] as life expectancy rises, producing a more column-shaped and older population structure [1].

Explain two reasons why population structures differ between Japan and Vietnam. [4]

Reason 1: Japan has experienced very low fertility for longer [1], producing much smaller younger cohorts and a more aged structure [1]. Reason 2: Japan has very high life expectancy [1], meaning a greater proportion of people survive into older age compared with Vietnam [1].

Explain one economic consequence of high youth dependency. [2]

Governments must spend more on schools and child healthcare [1], which can reduce the money available for other investments such as infrastructure [1].

Explain one economic consequence of high old-age dependency. [2]

A larger retired population increases pension expenditure [1], while relatively fewer workers contribute taxation to fund it [1].

Explain one way a declining dependency ratio can benefit an economy. [2]

A larger proportion of the population becomes working age [1], potentially increasing production, tax revenue and household incomes relative to the number of dependants [1].

Explain two challenges created by high old-age dependency. [4]

Challenge 1: Pension costs increase [1] because a larger retired population must be supported by a relatively smaller workforce [1]. Challenge 2: Healthcare and social-care demand increases [1], raising government spending and increasing demand for care workers [1].

Explain two ways high youth dependency can affect a country. [4]

Way 1: Governments need to provide more schools and healthcare [1], creating high short-term public spending costs [1]. Way 2: A large child population can later become a large workforce [1], potentially creating a demographic dividend if education and jobs are available [1].

Explain one benefit and one challenge of a falling dependency ratio. [4]

Benefit: More people are working relative to dependants [1], potentially increasing production and tax revenue [1]. Challenge: If sufficient employment is not created, the expanding workforce may experience unemployment [1], preventing the potential demographic dividend from being realised [1].

Explain one reason Lagos has experienced rapid population growth. [2]

Lagos attracts rural-urban migrants seeking employment [1], increasing the city's population as people move towards its industries, services and informal economy [1].

Explain one economic opportunity created by rapid megacity growth. [2]

A larger population provides a larger workforce and consumer market [1], encouraging businesses to expand and creating employment [1].

Explain one social challenge created by rapid megacity growth. [2]

Rapid growth can create housing shortages [1] because the population increases faster than affordable formal housing can be constructed [1].

Explain one environmental challenge of megacity growth. [2]

A larger population generates more solid waste [1], which can exceed waste-management capacity and contribute to land, water and air pollution [1].

Explain two consequences of rapid population growth in a megacity. [4]

Consequence 1: Greater labour supply and consumer demand can support economic growth [1], creating jobs and encouraging investment [1]. Consequence 2: Infrastructure may become overloaded [1], increasing congestion and pressure on water, sanitation and housing [1].

Explain one opportunity and one challenge of growth in Lagos. [4]

Opportunity: Industries such as Nollywood and informal businesses provide employment [1], allowing migrants to earn income and contributing to the urban economy [1]. Challenge: Rapid population growth has increased demand for housing [1], contributing to the expansion of informal settlements such as Makoko where infrastructure can be limited [1].

Explain two ways rapid megacity growth places pressure on infrastructure. [4]

Way 1: More residents increase demand for water and sanitation [1], potentially exceeding network capacity and leaving households without reliable services [1]. Way 2: More commuters increase demand for transport [1], contributing to congestion and longer travel times where roads and public transport cannot keep pace [1].

Explain two ways rapid growth creates economic opportunities in Lagos. [4]

Way 1: A larger population creates a larger labour force [1], providing workers for services, manufacturing and informal businesses [1]. Way 2: More residents create a larger consumer market [1], increasing demand for goods, entertainment, transport and other services [1].

Explain one difference between a refugee and an internally displaced person (IDP). [2]

A refugee has been forcibly displaced and crossed an international border [1], whereas an IDP remains within their own country's borders [1].

Explain one political push factor causing forced migration. [2]

Armed conflict can threaten people's lives and physical safety [1], forcing them to leave their homes in search of safer locations [1].

Explain one environmental push factor causing migration. [2]

Sea-level rise can increase coastal flooding and erosion [1], damaging homes and livelihoods and encouraging or forcing residents to relocate [1].

Explain one consequence of forced migration for an origin area. [2]

Origin areas may experience population loss [1], reducing their workforce and weakening local businesses and services [1].

Explain one consequence of forced migration for a destination area. [2]

Refugee arrivals increase demand for housing and public services [1], potentially placing additional pressure on schools, healthcare and water supply [1].

Explain two reasons for forced displacement from Syria. [4]

Reason 1: Armed conflict and bombardment threatened civilians [1], forcing families to leave unsafe areas to protect their lives [1]. Reason 2: Destruction of homes, hospitals, water networks and employment [1] made it difficult for people to meet basic needs and remain in affected areas [1].

Explain two consequences of Syrian displacement for destination countries. [4]

Consequence 1: Large refugee populations increase demand for housing, schools and hospitals [1], placing pressure on public services and local infrastructure [1]. Consequence 2: Refugees can increase the labour force and local spending [1], potentially supporting sectors such as agriculture, construction and retail [1].

Explain two environmental pressures influencing migration in Kiribati. [4]

Pressure 1: Sea-level rise increases flooding and coastal erosion [1], threatening homes and infrastructure on low-lying islands [1]. Pressure 2: Saltwater can contaminate freshwater supplies and soils [1], reducing drinking-water availability and damaging agriculture [1].

Explain one similarity and one difference between Syria and Kiribati displacement. [4]

Similarity: In both cases people may move because remaining in their home area threatens their safety or livelihood [1], creating displacement and pressure on destination areas [1]. Difference: Syria's displacement is primarily associated with conflict and political insecurity [1], whereas Kiribati's migration pressure is strongly associated with environmental changes such as sea-level rise and salinisation [1].

Explain two consequences of forced migration for displaced people. [4]

Consequence 1: People may lose homes, property and employment [1], reducing incomes and increasing poverty or dependence on aid [1]. Consequence 2: Children may experience interrupted education [1], reducing future qualifications and employment opportunities [1].

Explain why low fertility can initially reduce dependency but later increase dependency. [4]

Initial effect: Fewer births reduce the number of child dependants [1], increasing the proportion of working-age people and lowering dependency [1]. \Later effect: These small cohorts eventually become the workforce while earlier generations move into old age [1], causing fewer workers to support more elderly dependants and increasing old-age dependency [1].

Explain why rapid urban population growth can create both economic opportunities and social challenges. [4]

Opportunity: A growing population increases the labour force and consumer market [1], encouraging business investment and job creation [1]. Challenge: Population may grow faster than housing and services [1], contributing to overcrowding, informal settlements and pressure on schools, healthcare and sanitation [1].

Explain why migration impacts differ between origin and destination areas. [4]

Origin: Out-migration can reduce the number of young workers [1], potentially ageing the population and weakening the local labour force [1]. Destination: In-migration increases population and labour supply [1], creating economic opportunities but also increasing pressure on housing and services [1].