Population final revision

Key things to revise

• Population density and distribution in the UK and China

• One child policy• Ageing population: East Devon, UK• Changes in BR and DR

The distribution of global population

•The population density is the number of people who live in a defined area.• Population distribution is where the people are.• World population distribution is uneven. • Places that are sparsely populated contain few people. • Places that are densely populated contain many people.•Questions may be about areas of the world that are densely and sparsely populated and the reasons why.

Sparsely populated places

•High land that is mountainous and inhospitable, e.g. Himalayas• Areas with few resources, e.g. the Sahel• Areas with extreme climates of hot or cold, e.g. Siberia and the Sahara Desert• Countries with unstable governments, e.g. Afghanistan • Areas with limited job opportunities, e.g. Amazon Rainforest

Which of these are human and which are physical factors?

Densely populated places

• Low land that is flat, e.g. Ganges Valley in India• Areas rich in resources (e.g. coal or oil), e.g. France• Areas with temperate (not extreme) climates where there is enough rain and warmth to grow crops, e.g. UK• Countries with stable governments, e.g. Singapore• Areas with good job opportunities encourage high population densities, particularly in large cities in HICs and LICs around the world

Which of these are human and which are physical factors?

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

Distribution and density of population in China: physical and human factors

B: The most densely populated areas are the coastal areas and the fertile floodplains of the major rivers, e.g. Yangtze, found in the east of the country.

The most sparsely populated areas are in the west of the country: the mountains over 2,000 m, e.g. Himalayas, Atai mountains and the Tibet Plateau, and the desert areas, e.g. Gobi and Takla deserts. They all have a population density of less than 10 people per square kilometre.

Distribution and density of population in China: physical and human factors

• Climate is also an important physical factor that affects the density of population. The climate of China is diverse, from temperate to tropical and from arid to monsoonal. Large cities such as Beijing do not experience extreme climates and this is one reason for their continued growth.

• There are no large settlements in the arid desert areas or the wet and cold mountains.

Distribution and density of population in China: physical and human factors

• In the 1970s the Chinese government introduced a strategy for coastal economic development. This led to rapid economic development along the southeast coastal area, which drew in workers. This is now the most densely populated region, based around Shanghai.

• In China, the richer areas with more industry have higher population densities. These areas are accessible and have good communication links, which has encouraged the growth of industry and population. They are centres of industry.

• The densely populated major ports are situated on the coast where they

trade with the rest of the world. They are centres of industry.

Distribution and density of population in the UK: physical and human factors

Human factors

• in the southeast, centred around London, which is a magnet for modern industries, which attract workers

• located around ports, e.g. Newcastle and Sunderland in the northeast and Portsmouth and Southampton on the south coast

• in Aberdeen, because of the growth of industry based on North Sea oil deposits

• in old industrial areas in Lancashire, e.g. Bolton and Blackburn, and Yorkshire, e.g. Leeds and Bradford, because of well-established infrastructure

• In coastal towns such as Bournemouth and Brighton. These towns attract retired people because they are warmer than other areas of the UK

• in south Wales because of the natural resources of coal, iron ore and limestone that occur there. This led to the growth of manufacturing industries

Physical factors• the rural areas of East Anglia. This is

fertile agricultural land, too valuable to be used for urban growth

• the Highlands of Scotland, where the weather is cold, the soil infertile and transport links are difficult because of the mountains

• central Wales, because it is cold, wet and hilly. It is also remote, so it is difficult to transport goods

Population distribution in the UK

Examples of questions

Name two sparsely populated areas in the UK.(2)

Describe the distribution of population in China (4)Explain the human factors that influence the

population distribution of the UK (4)Explain the human factors that influence the

population distribution of the UK

Outline the human factors that have affected the distribution of population in the UK (refer to specific named

places in your answer) – 6 marks.

• The South East of the UK and London in particular has a very high population density. Excellent communications including a number of major international airports (e.g. Heathrow) and a major rail hub (Kings Cross) as well as major motorways (M25) has helped attract business and commerce and London has a fast growing economy with a large range of jobs. The fact that London is the capital city has also given high status for many businesses to locate here. Its history and heritage with major tourist attractions (e.g. Buckingham Palace, Science museum etc.) has meant that there are many jobs in the tertiary sector, in particular in tourism. In areas such as the Highlands of Scotland, where most jobs are in primary industries and there is an overall lack of employment there are much fewer people. The isolation of this area, with poor communications and lack of TV, phone and internet reception also accounts for the low population density.

The demographic transition model

Changes to birth and death rates

•Birth rate: the number of people born per 1,000 of the population in a year•Death rate: the number of people who die per 1,000 of the population in a year•The factors that cause birth and death rates to change are:• political• economic• social• medical

Changes to birth and death rates:medical factors

• In HICs new treatments, such as medicines to treat cancer, are continually being invented to fight diseases, which means that people live longer.• Inoculations for childhood diseases have decreased the death rates in many LICs. In March 2006, The Health Foundation launched a three-year programme dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare for mothers and babies in Malawi. It aims to reduce the mortality rate among children under five by two-thirds by 2015.

Changes to birth and death rates:economic factors

•It is expensive to have children. In the UK it costs an average of £186,032 to raise a child from birth to the age of 21. • The death rate in the UK is strongly affected by poverty. The death rate for Glasgow is more than twice as high as that for Wimborne, Dorset. The male death rate in Glasgow was the highest in Britain at 1,420 per 100,000. Wimborne had the lowest death rate, at 700 per 100,000.

Changes to birth and death rates:social factors

•Education gives women information on ways to control fertility. It also increases the time they spend in school and further education; this gives them a greater chance of a full-time career. Consequently, the average age at marriage is likely to be raised, as is the average child-bearing age. • People in HICS are now marrying later. The average age has gone up from 24 in 1960 to 30 in 2010.

Changes to birth and death rates:political factors

•Countries such as China and India have attempted to reduce birth rates through the introduction of family planning programmes.• Other countries, such as France and Singapore, are giving incentives to increase the birth rate, because they are worried that their country’s population is ageing and there will not be a large enough workforce.

Examples of exam questions

• Outline why deaths rates fall during the second stage of the DTM. (3)

Explain why births rates fall during the third

stage of the DTM. (4)

China: a country trying to decrease its birth rate

• Couples in China are only allowed one child and are given a ‘one-child certificate’ entitling them to a package of benefits.

This is the case study detail, but you will not get 6 marks unless you can EXPLAIN the points: why are they an incentive/ disincentive and why would they work?

Recent changes to the one child policy

•In rural areas a second child is generally allowed after 5 years,

but this usually applies only if the first child is a girl. A third child is allowed among some ethnic minorities and in remote, under-populated areas.

•For urban residents and government employees, the policy is

strictly enforced, with a few exceptions. The exceptions include

families in which the first child has a disability or both parents

work in high-risk occupations (such as mining) or are themselves

from one-child families.

Singapore: a country trying to increase its birth rate

Characteristics of population on a local scale

•Census•A count of the population. It takes place every 10 years.•Age•Local councils need to know the percentages of young and elderly in their community so that they can fit the services they provide to particular age groups.•Gender•The proportion of males to females in the community.

Characteristics of population on a local scale

•Ethnic group•A group of people with similar cultural characteristics of language, colour, religion and nationality. Information on ethnic groups helps local government to allocate resources and plan programmes to take account of the needs of minority groups•Occupational structure•The census shows how many people work in different occupations (jobs) and industries throughout the country, helping government and businesses to plan jobs and training policies. •Religious structure•The main groups in the UK are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and atheist.

Population pyramids for countries at different levels of development

Population pyramids for countries at different levels of development

Population pyramids for countries at different levels of development

Key terms:

• Ageing population: Countries have a large proportion of their population in the over 65 category.

• Youthful population:Countries have a large proportion of their population below the age of 16. There will be a high number of youthful dependents.

•

Consequences of youthful and ageing populations

•The UK has an ageing population. Nearly 50% of the population is over 50 years of age. •The Gambia has a youthful population. Nearly 50% of the population is under 30 years of age.•Questions you might be asked are:•Explain the consequences of an ageing population.•Explain the consequences of a youthful population.

Consequences of an ageing populationNegative consequences

•People live longer, so more houses are needed and therefore more land is needed.• Spending on education will be cut to finance the elderly.• There will be much greater demand for healthcare and residential care homes, which are expensive.• The pension age will have to increase. At present the old age pension is paid at age 65. This will increase in steps to 68 by 2046.• Taxes are likely to increase to pay for services and pensions.

Positive consequences• The elderly work without pay in areas such as charity shops.• Fewer people will be unemployed as the percentage of elderly increases.• There will be a growth in the leisure industry with firms wanting to exploit the ‘grey pound’.

Case study detail, East Devon, UK• East Devon has the 2nd highest concentration of over 50’s in England. It is a coastal

county with beautiful countryside.• 125,000 live near the coast with the rest of the population scattered in villages,

housing is expensive- this means many of the young people have left the area.• Old people contribute £215 billion to the economy per year- spending is especially

in areas such as health and leisure• In East Devon there Dispersed settlement pattern – the elderly live in spread out

communities. Transport links are vital to transport people around, many can not drive or afford a car and some of them will have lost their licence. They have developed a ‘Ring and Ride’ service to help with this issue. The bus fares are the same as public transport but more funding is need to keep the service going.

• To keep them mentally and physically active there are computer courses, handicrafts, fitness clubs, the NGO Age Concern organises game clubs at their centres and 60% do swimming sessions at their local pool. Again, this requires public funding.

• There are high costs to the NHS.

Consequences of a youthful population

Negative consequences

• Childhood diseases such as measles and diarrhoea can be fatal as there are few or no hospitals and doctors in the poor LICs.• A large percentage of under 15s in LICs puts a strain on the economy, particularly with food, education and health.• A large workforce who are not able to get jobs leads to begging in the streets.

Positive consequences

• There are many children to look after their parents, so money does not need to be spent on care for the elderly.• There is a large potential active workforce available for economic growth- this can lead to investment from TNCs.

Gambia specific detail• The Gambia is the smallest African country and 95% of Gambia’s population are

Muslim. There has been a taboo on contraceptives and the birth rate is high, on average each woman in her life time will have 7 children

• The Gambia is a very poor country, there is not enough money to build infrastructure and develop towns. Healthcare is very limited and the infant mortality rate is 73 per 1000.

• High dependency ratio.• Financial problems – not having enough money to feed and support the growing

family. Malnutrition is common. • Homes often don’t have electricity and are overcrowded.• Desertification of the forests, people use the wood for fires housing and selling.

The land left ends up as desert• Not enough education, there is a shortage of toilet facilities and educational

material, often schools adopted a 2 shift system some children educated in the morning and some later in the day. Teachers are poorly paid and can work up to 12 hours a day.

• 1 in 3 14 year olds have to work to help support the family.

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