Population challenges and opportunities
Practice Flashcards
What is an ageing population?
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All Flashcards in Topic 1.3
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1.3.112 cards
What is an ageing population?
One in which the **proportion of people aged 65+ is rising** (and the share of children is falling).
What two trends cause an ageing population?
**Falling fertility** (fewer children) and **rising life expectancy** (people live longer).
What is a declining population?
One that is **shrinking in total size** - deaths and emigration exceed births and immigration.
Define the old-age dependency ratio.
The number of people aged 65+ compared with every 100 people of working age.
Name two economic difficulties of ageing.
Smaller workforce / shrinking tax base, plus higher **pension and healthcare** costs.
Name two social difficulties of ageing.
A **care burden** on families and **loneliness/isolation** among the elderly.
Give three strategies to cope with ageing.
Raise the **retirement age**, encourage **worker immigration**, and use **pro-natalist incentives** (or automation).
What is a pro-natalist policy?
A policy that aims to **raise the birth rate** - e.g. cash bonuses, childcare and parental leave.
Why do countries pick different ageing policies?
They differ in **wealth, culture and politics** - e.g. some accept migration, others prefer pro-natalist or work-longer policies.
How does raising the retirement age help?
People **work and pay tax for longer** and draw pensions for fewer years, easing the budget.
Data terms: State vs Estimate?
**State/Identify** = read a value straight off the figure; **Estimate** = give a sensible figure from the axis.
In a Describe answer about ageing data, what must you include?
The **direction** (rises/falls) AND **figures** for each group - no causes.
1.3.212 cards
Define the fertility rate.
The average number of children a woman has during her lifetime.
What happens to fertility as women's status rises?
It **falls** -- women marry later and choose smaller families.
Give two reasons fertility falls when women's status improves.
Education delays childbearing; paid work raises the cost of children (also decision-making power, family planning).
Define a pro-natal policy.
A policy that **encourages** more births, e.g. baby bonuses or parental leave.
Define an anti-natal policy.
A policy that **discourages** births to slow population growth.
Name two policies that advance gender equality.
Girls' education laws and parliamentary quotas for women (e.g. Rwanda).
Why does girls' education lower fertility?
Girls who stay in school marry later, shortening the childbearing years.
If women are 70% of graduates, what share are men?
**30%** -- the two shares add up to 100%.
Estimate vs Determine on data?
**Estimate** = read a value off the figure; **Determine** = do a quick calculation (e.g. 100 - 70).
How do you Evaluate an infographic claim?
Weigh supporting evidence against its limits/gaps, then give a justified judgement.
Name a pro-natal example.
**France** -- generous parental leave and child benefits to lift low fertility.
Why is a pie chart good for a 70%/30% split?
It shows each group as a proportion of the whole, so the gap is clear at a glance.
1.3.311 cards
Define the dependency ratio.
The number of **dependants** (under 15 and 65+) **per 100 working-age people**.
Who counts as working-age?
People aged roughly **15-64** - the main workers and taxpayers.
Who counts as a dependant?
People **under 15** or **65+**, who are mostly outside the main workforce.
Define the demographic dividend.
The economic boost when the **working-age share is large** and **dependency is low**.
Why does a low dependency ratio help the economy?
Each worker supports fewer dependants, so more income can be earned, taxed, saved and invested.
Name two ways a demographic dividend boosts the economy.
A **bigger workforce + tax base**, and **more savings to invest** (also attracts investment).
Why is the demographic dividend only a 'window'?
As the working-age bulge ages, the elderly share rises and the dependency ratio climbs again.
Define a megacity.
An urban area with a population of over **10 million** people.
Name two benefits an individual gains from a megacity.
More and better-paid **jobs**, and better **access to services** (hospitals, schools, universities).
Data command terms: State vs Identify?
**State** = read the exact value off the chart; **Identify** = pick out the region/category described.
How are marks split on a named-country 'Explain' [4]?
**2 marks per gain** - each needs development; a named country is expected for full marks.
1.3.412 cards
Define human trafficking.
Moving or holding a person by **force, fraud or coercion** in order to **exploit** them.
Define exploitation in this context.
Using a person for profit against their will — forced labour, sex work or domestic servitude.
Define vulnerability.
How exposed a group is to harm, and how little it can cope with or recover from it.
What is an internally displaced person (IDP)?
Someone forced to flee home who **stays inside their own country** (a refugee crosses a border).
IDP vs refugee?
An **IDP** remains in their own country; a **refugee crosses an international border**.
Name four drivers of vulnerability to trafficking.
**Poverty, weak law enforcement, conflict/disaster, and discrimination.**
Name two policies that reduce trafficking.
**Tougher laws/prosecution** and **awareness campaigns** (also border checks, victim support).
How does an awareness campaign reduce trafficking?
It warns people about **fake job offers**, so fewer are tricked into being recruited.
How does prosecuting traffickers reduce trafficking?
Jailing them raises the **risk and cost** of the crime, deterring offenders.
Why do low-GDP states struggle with IDP impacts?
Weak tax revenue means they **cannot fund** water, sanitation and waste services for large camps.
Which groups are most detected as trafficking victims?
**Women and children** make up the majority of detected victims.
What does 'to what extent' require?
**Weigh similarities against differences**, then reach a clear **judgement**.
Topic 1.3 study notes
Full notes & explanations for Population challenges and opportunities
Geography exam skills
Paper structures, command terms & tips
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