Population
Revision
Booklet
AS LEVEL GEOGRAPHY
1
Checklist:
I can…
No
Sort of
Yes
Define population key terms such as fertility rate, infant
mortality and life expectancy
Describe and explain how population has increased over the
past 250 years
Annotate a diagram of the Demographic Transition Model and
explain what it shows
Apply the DTM to different countries and show what Stage
countries are in based solely on birth and death rate data
Interpret population pyramids for LEDC and MEDC countries
Relate population pyramids to different stages of the DTM
Describe the key theories of Malthus, Boserup and the Club of
Rome
Describe push and pull factors leading to migration and relate
this to a case study
Explain what is meant by the dependency ratio
Give advantages and disadvantages of an ageing population
and relate this to a case study
Give advantages and disadvantages of a youthful population
and relate this to a case study
Explain the causes and impacts of different population
management strategies
Define and give examples of urbanisation
Define and give examples of counter-urbanisation
Show how the urban characteristics change from the inner city
through to rural areas
Explain the term social welfare and relate this to an urban case
study
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Opening questions on an exam often ask you to define a key term, or show you can
distinguish the difference between key terms. Write a definition for each of the following
key terms.
Birth rate
Natural Increase
Infant mortality rate
Fertility rate
Population density
Death rate
Life Expectancy
Child mortality rate
Total fertility rate
Migration rate
3
This graph shows the increase in
population since 1750. Describe the
pattern shown:
Annotate the map above to show the areas of highest and lowest population density. In your
annotations include some explanation as to why this could be (think climate, resources).
Exam questions
1) Outline the reasons for rapid population growth over the past
200 years (4 marks)
2) Explain why some areas of the world have higher population
densities than others (6 marks)
4
Annotate your demographic transition model (DTM) to show:
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The 5 stages (Stage 1, Stage 2 etc)
Labelled axes (Time/Development and Birth/Death rates per 1000 people)
Birth Rate; Death rate; Total population
Descriptions of the 5 stages – High fluctuating; Early Expanding; Late Expanding; Low
fluctuating and Declining
Examples of countries/places that fit each of these Stages (e.g., Mali; tribes of the Amazon;
UK; Japan; Egypt)
Stage
1
2
3
4
5
Birth rate
Death rate
Natural Increase
Write the words HIGH; LOW; DECREASING; INCREASING in the table above.
It is really important that you understand what the DTM shows you. The DTM
represents a large part of the course and it is very likely that there will be questions
on the exam about it.
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Stage 1: Example of place:
Birth rate is __________ because…
Death rate is __________ because…
Stage 2: Example of place:
Birth rate is __________ because…
Death rate is __________ because…
Stage 3: Example of place:
Birth rate is __________ because…
Death rate is __________ because…
Stage 4: Example of place:
Birth rate is __________ because…
Death rate is __________ because…
Stage 5: Example of place:
Birth rate is __________ because…
Death rate is __________ because…
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1600
1700
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
Birth rate
(per 1000
per year
38
35
35
26
18
12
8
Death rate
(per 1000
per year)
37
34
18
15
12
10
10
Population
(millions)
Approximate
Stage
2
3
7
15
21
26
28
To answer the question
below it is useful to plot
at which stage the
country was at each
date.
Then, use information
from page 6 to answer
the question below.
Exam questions
3) The table shows some population data for a country since 1600. With
reference to the DTM, describe and explain the changes in the
population shown by the data (10 marks)
Usefulness of the DTM:
The data behind the DTM was from more developed countries, so the model works well for these
countries. How does the UK fit into the DTM – when did the UK go through each of the stages?
Comparison between countries…
Forecasting future population growth…
(why are these important?)
Limitations of the DTM:
Originally no Stage 5…
Doesn’t take into account education and role of women…
Religious practices can influence progression through stages…
No migration included…
Population control policies…
(for each, briefly explain how it could influence progression through the Stages of the DTM)
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Population structures (pyramids) and the
DTM:
Draw and annotate a population pyramid for
Stage 5 of the DTM:
You need to know the shape of these
population pyramids and what they show.
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Wide base = high birth rate
Narrowing quickly = high death rate
Wide top = ageing population
Narrowing base = low birth rate
You should be able to relate these facts to
the population pyramids and the DTM.
Exam questions
4) Discuss the uses and limitations of the DTM (15 marks)
5) Describe the differences between the population structures of
countries at different stages of the DTM (10 marks)
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There are three main population theories that you should be aware of: Malthus, Boserup and the Club
of Rome. To show off to an examiner you could also write about Julian Simon.
Theory: Thomas Malthus
Main features:
What would happen at the crisis point (the intersection of pop growth and food
supply (see graph below)?
Ways of stabilising the population:
Preventative checks (reducing birth rate)
Positive checks (increasing death rate)
For each give examples of ‘checks’.
Positives and negatives of the Malthusian theory:
Positives – where it works
Negatives – where it doesn’t work
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Theory: Ester Boserup
Main features:
Using the cartoon below and the graph to the left as
prompts, explain how Boserup felt that population could
continue to rise:
Positives and negatives of the Boserup theory:
Positives – where it works
Negatives – where it doesn’t work
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Theory: Club of Rome
Main features:
What is the graph on the left
showing you?
Prompts: what will happen to resources,
population in the future + why?
Positives and negatives of the Club of Rome theory:
Positives – where it works
Negatives – where it doesn’t work
Exam questions
6) Comment on contrasting population growth theories (15 marks)
7) To what extent is the theory postulated by Malthus supported by
evidence in today’s world? (8 marks)
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Quick facts:
Migration _____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Immigration_____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Emigration _____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Look at the population pyramid for the UAE.
Describe and explain the pattern shown:
Focus on men aged 20-54 and the increase of 0-9 year olds.
This is a case of international migration – migration between different countries. You will also
need to know about internal migration (within a country), see the Section on urbanisation and
counter-urbanisation.
Push and Pull factors
Push = forces you out of your country/place
Push Factors
Pull = encourages you into a country or place
Pull factors
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Case study: Poland to UK (You could also your case study about Mexico-USA migration)
Historical background
Push and Pull factors
Push Factors
Pull factors
Advantages/Disadvantages to UK/Poland (think Social; Economic and Environmental)
Advantages for UK
Disadvantages for UK
Advantages for Poland
Disadvantages for Poland
Exam questions
8) With specific reference to a case study explain the
impacts of international migration (15 marks)
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.
Quick facts:
The dependency ratio is___________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
The dependency ratio is a useful term when discussing ageing and youthful populations. Use this
term and ‘elderly dependents’; ‘young dependents’ and ‘working age’ in your exam answers.
Case study: Japan’s ageing population
(You could also consider the ageing population of UK, but again you will need specific facts).
Describe and explain what this population pyramid
shows:
Social, economic and environmental impacts of ageing population (specific facts!): (+ve and –ve)
Social
Economic
Environmental
Possible management solutions:
14
Youthful population pyramids are a common feature
of LEDC countries. Describe and explain the features of
this population structure:
Case study: Uganda’s ageing population
Almost any LEDC country will do for a case study so long as you include specific facts in an exam!
Fact box: Uganda
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High dependency ratio. 50% under 15 years of age
High fertility rate (6.7 per mother) affecting health of mothers and children
Pressure on health services: 6000 women die in childbirth each year
Unprotected sex leads to spread of sexual diseases e.g., HIV/AIDS
Early child bearing means fewer women in education, restricting their opportunities
Overcrowding and rural-urban migration leads to growth of shanty town settlements
Land degradation due to overuse and demand for trees for fuel
Low life expectancy – just 52 years of age
The box above shows many of the negative aspects of a youthful population.
What are the opportunities for a country with a youthful population?
Exam questions
9) Distinguish between the problems faced by governments of
youthful and ageing populations (15 marks)
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Case study: China’s One Child Policy
Remember to include specific facts and figures in your exam about the One Child Policy.
You can also refer to population management in Kerala, India (focussing on education to reduce the
fertility rate) and Singapore (where the government has provided incentives to encourage people to
have fewer children).
This is the population structure of China in 1970 (before
the One Child Policy). Referring to page 15 – what are the
key problems faced by the country?
These should directly link to the causes of the 1CP. Use terms like
overpopulation and explain its meaning
Impacts of the One Child Policy:
As geographers you should refer to both the positives and negatives and refer to SEE.
Exam questions
10)
Compare the two population
pyramids. To what extent have
China been successful in their One
Child Policy? (6 marks)
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China 2010
Quick facts:
Pro-natalist means _______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Case Study: France
France realised that it had an ageing population by the 1990s, and so needed to increase its
population so that in the future it could support its elderly dependents. It did this through a
number of incentives.
Incentives by French Government to increase birth/fertility rates: (be specific!)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
France fertility change from 1960s to present:
Fertility rates
1960s
2.7
1990s
1.7
2010s
2.0
To what extent has the population management strategies used by the French Government been
successful in achieving their aims?
17
NB: The birth rate in France is 1.9 – the second highest in Europe.
Exam questions
11)
What problems could a temporary increase in fertility
rates cause in the future (4 marks)
Quick facts:
Urbanisation is __________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Counter-urbanisation is ___________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Case Study:
Urbanisation
LEDC:
From rural areas of
India to Dharavi,
Mumbai
MEDC:
Isle of Purbeck
(Dorset) to
Southampton
Annotate the cartoon
to the right to show the
problems associated
with urbanisation in
LEDCs.
How would the problems differ in MEDC countries?
18
Consider the problems faced in the rural area. Include information from push and pull factors.
How does the population pyramid for Cornwall
compare to that of the UK average?
Case Study: Counter-urbanisation
Cornwall from major cities in the UK. Counter-urbanisation is almost exclusively found in MEDC
countries.
Using the pictures above, describe the pull factors that encourage people to Cornwall:
What impacts will the migration of people have – social, economic and environmental?
19
Refer to the types of people (demography) that are immigrating.
Exam questions
12)
Explain the push factors that facilitate urban-rural
migration (6 marks)
Case Study: Differences
between urban and sub-urban
areas
Use London – Canning Town v
Richmond-upon-Thames.
You will need to be able to
comment on:
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Housing
Ethnicity
Age Structure
Wealth
Employment
Provision of Services
Locate Canning Town and Richmond-upon-Thames on the
map above
As bullet points, use specific facts to highlight the
differences between the inner city and suburban areas
Canning Town (inner city)
Richmond-upon-Thames
(surburban)
Housing
Ethnicity
Age Structure
Wealth
20
Employment
Provision of services
21
Exam questions
13)
Choose any two areas. Using only the photographs, contrast the
characteristics of the two settlement areas chosen (4 marks)
Quick facts:
Social welfare is ____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
For any question on social welfare you need to comment
on the living conditions and the things that affect these.
For example, the level of education, health,
unemployment, crime rates, types of jobs
Using key facts from page 20, how does social welfare differ between different urban areas?
Key Term
Definition
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Use this space to make notes – perhaps things you need to focus on for your revision.
You could also attempt some of the exam questions in this space…
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