Ageing and declining populations
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Question
What is an ageing population?
Answer
One in which the **proportion of people aged 65+ is rising** (and the share of children is falling).
Question
What two trends cause an ageing population?
Answer
**Falling fertility** (fewer children) and **rising life expectancy** (people live longer).
Question
What is a declining population?
Answer
One that is **shrinking in total size** - deaths and emigration exceed births and immigration.
Question
Define the old-age dependency ratio.
Answer
The number of people aged 65+ compared with every 100 people of working age.
Question
Name two economic difficulties of ageing.
Answer
Smaller workforce / shrinking tax base, plus higher **pension and healthcare** costs.
Question
Name two social difficulties of ageing.
Answer
A **care burden** on families and **loneliness/isolation** among the elderly.
Question
Give three strategies to cope with ageing.
Answer
Raise the **retirement age**, encourage **worker immigration**, and use **pro-natalist incentives** (or automation).
Question
What is a pro-natalist policy?
Answer
A policy that aims to **raise the birth rate** - e.g. cash bonuses, childcare and parental leave.
Question
Why do countries pick different ageing policies?
Answer
They differ in **wealth, culture and politics** - e.g. some accept migration, others prefer pro-natalist or work-longer policies.
Question
How does raising the retirement age help?
Answer
People **work and pay tax for longer** and draw pensions for fewer years, easing the budget.
Question
Data terms: State vs Estimate?
Answer
**State/Identify** = read a value straight off the figure; **Estimate** = give a sensible figure from the axis.
Question
In a Describe answer about ageing data, what must you include?
Answer
The **direction** (rises/falls) AND **figures** for each group - no causes.
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Full study notes for Ageing and declining populations
Topic 1.3 hub
Population challenges and opportunities
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Geography exam skills
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