Practice Flashcards
Name the three components of population change.
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All Flashcards in Topic 8.1
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8.1.130 cards
Name the three components of population change.
Births, deaths, and migration.
Births + deaths + migration
What is crude birth rate (CBR)?
The number of live births per 1,000 people per year.
Births per 1,000 per year
What is crude birth rate (CBR)?
The number of live births per 1,000 people per year.
Births per 1,000 per year
In a population pyramid, what does a wide base usually indicate?
A high birth rate (large proportion of young people).
Base width = birth rate
Name the three components of population change.
Births, deaths, and migration.
Births + deaths + migration
In a population pyramid, what does a wide base usually indicate?
A high birth rate (large proportion of young people).
Base width = birth rate
What does (CBR − CDR) represent?
Natural increase (the change due to births minus deaths, excluding migration).
Births minus deaths
What is crude death rate (CDR)?
The number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.
Deaths per 1,000 per year
In a population pyramid, what does a wide top suggest?
High life expectancy and an ageing population.
Top width = life expectancy
In a population pyramid, what does a wide top suggest?
High life expectancy and an ageing population.
Top width = life expectancy
What is crude death rate (CDR)?
The number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.
Deaths per 1,000 per year
What does (CBR − CDR) represent?
Natural increase (the change due to births minus deaths, excluding migration).
Births minus deaths
How do you calculate natural increase rate (%) from CBR and CDR?
(CBR − CDR) ÷ 10 = annual % change (excluding migration).
(CBR-CDR)/10
What is an expansive (youthful) population pyramid?
A pyramid with a wide base and narrow top, showing high birth rates and rapid population growth (common in LICs).
Wide base, narrow top
What does doubling time tell you?
How long it would take for a population to double at its current growth rate.
70 ÷ growth rate
What is an expansive (youthful) population pyramid?
A pyramid with a wide base and narrow top, showing high birth rates and rapid population growth (common in LICs).
Wide base, narrow top
What does doubling time tell you?
How long it would take for a population to double at its current growth rate.
70 ÷ growth rate
How do you calculate natural increase rate (%) from CBR and CDR?
(CBR − CDR) ÷ 10 = annual % change (excluding migration).
(CBR-CDR)/10
What does total fertility rate (TFR) mean?
The average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive lifetime; replacement level is about 2.1.
Average children per woman
What does total fertility rate (TFR) mean?
The average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive lifetime; replacement level is about 2.1.
Average children per woman
What is a constrictive (ageing) population pyramid?
A pyramid with a narrow base and wider middle/top, showing low birth rates and slow growth or decline (common in HICs).
Narrow base, wider middle/top
What does an expansive pyramid usually imply about future population?
Likely continued rapid growth due to a large cohort entering reproductive age.
Youth bulge → future growth
What is a constrictive (ageing) population pyramid?
A pyramid with a narrow base and wider middle/top, showing low birth rates and slow growth or decline (common in HICs).
Narrow base, wider middle/top
What does an expansive pyramid usually imply about future population?
Likely continued rapid growth due to a large cohort entering reproductive age.
Youth bulge → future growth
What is dependency ratio and why does it matter?
The ratio of dependents (under 15 and over 65) to the working-age population (15–64). A high ratio increases economic pressure on workers and services.
(Young+Old) vs Working-age
How do you calculate doubling time?
Doubling time (years) = 70 ÷ growth rate (%).
70 divided by growth rate
Paper 1 tip: How should you describe population data?
State the trend (up/down), the rate of change, and any regional differences.
Trend + rate + region
Paper 1 tip: How should you describe population data?
State the trend (up/down), the rate of change, and any regional differences.
Trend + rate + region
How do you calculate doubling time?
Doubling time (years) = 70 ÷ growth rate (%).
70 divided by growth rate
What is dependency ratio and why does it matter?
The ratio of dependents (under 15 and over 65) to the working-age population (15–64). A high ratio increases economic pressure on workers and services.
(Young+Old) vs Working-age
8.1.230 cards
Give two factors that reduce death rates (CDR).
Improved healthcare (vaccinations/medicines) and improved sanitation (clean water/sewage).
Healthcare + sanitation
Give two factors that reduce death rates (CDR).
Improved healthcare (vaccinations/medicines) and improved sanitation (clean water/sewage).
Healthcare + sanitation
What is the demographic transition model (DTM)?
A model showing how birth and death rates change as a country develops economically, typically moving from high rates to low rates.
Birth/death rates change with development
In the DTM, which usually falls first: birth rate or death rate?
Death rate typically falls first due to improved healthcare and sanitation (Stage 2).
Stage 2 clue
What is the demographic transition model (DTM)?
A model showing how birth and death rates change as a country develops economically, typically moving from high rates to low rates.
Birth/death rates change with development
In the DTM, which usually falls first: birth rate or death rate?
Death rate typically falls first due to improved healthcare and sanitation (Stage 2).
Stage 2 clue
What causes the rapid population growth in DTM Stage 2?
A large gap between high birth rates and rapidly falling death rates.
High CBR + falling CDR
What happens in DTM Stage 2 (early expanding)?
Death rate falls rapidly due to improved sanitation/healthcare while birth rate stays high, causing rapid population growth.
CDR falls first
What is the strongest single factor for reducing birth rates (CBR)?
Female education (girls staying in school tends to delay childbirth and reduce family size).
Female education
What causes the rapid population growth in DTM Stage 2?
A large gap between high birth rates and rapidly falling death rates.
High CBR + falling CDR
What happens in DTM Stage 2 (early expanding)?
Death rate falls rapidly due to improved sanitation/healthcare while birth rate stays high, causing rapid population growth.
CDR falls first
What is the strongest single factor for reducing birth rates (CBR)?
Female education (girls staying in school tends to delay childbirth and reduce family size).
Female education
Name two factors that reduce birth rates in Stage 3.
Increased female education and access to contraception (also urbanisation and employment).
Education + contraception
What is the key change in DTM Stage 3 (late expanding)?
Birth rate falls due to education, urbanisation, and contraception, so population growth slows.
CBR falls
How does urbanisation tend to reduce birth rates?
Children become an economic cost rather than an asset; access to education and healthcare increases; women have more employment opportunities.
City life changes incentives
What is the key change in DTM Stage 3 (late expanding)?
Birth rate falls due to education, urbanisation, and contraception, so population growth slows.
CBR falls
How does urbanisation tend to reduce birth rates?
Children become an economic cost rather than an asset; access to education and healthcare increases; women have more employment opportunities.
City life changes incentives
Name two factors that reduce birth rates in Stage 3.
Increased female education and access to contraception (also urbanisation and employment).
Education + contraception
How does improved nutrition reduce death rates?
Better food security reduces malnutrition and increases resistance to disease, lowering mortality (especially infant mortality).
Less malnutrition → fewer deaths
What characterises DTM Stage 4 (low stationary)?
Low birth and death rates with a stable population (typical of many HICs).
Low CBR + low CDR
Why is female education so effective at reducing fertility?
It delays marriage/childbearing, increases career opportunities, improves knowledge and use of family planning, and changes desired family size.
Delays + choices
What characterises DTM Stage 4 (low stationary)?
Low birth and death rates with a stable population (typical of many HICs).
Low CBR + low CDR
Why is female education so effective at reducing fertility?
It delays marriage/childbearing, increases career opportunities, improves knowledge and use of family planning, and changes desired family size.
Delays + choices
How does improved nutrition reduce death rates?
Better food security reduces malnutrition and increases resistance to disease, lowering mortality (especially infant mortality).
Less malnutrition → fewer deaths
Exam tip: Which factor links to which rate?
Healthcare/sanitation mainly reduce CDR; female education/contraception mainly reduce CBR.
Don’t mix CBR vs CDR
Data skill: How can you identify a DTM stage from CBR/CDR data?
Look at whether CDR is falling, whether CBR is falling, and the size of the gap between them (growth rate).
Gap tells growth
Why is Stage 5 (declining) considered “contested”?
Not all countries follow the same pathway; very low birth rates and ageing can cause decline, but policies/migration can alter trends.
DTM is a model, not a rule
Why is Stage 5 (declining) considered “contested”?
Not all countries follow the same pathway; very low birth rates and ageing can cause decline, but policies/migration can alter trends.
DTM is a model, not a rule
Exam tip: Which factor links to which rate?
Healthcare/sanitation mainly reduce CDR; female education/contraception mainly reduce CBR.
Don’t mix CBR vs CDR
Data skill: How can you identify a DTM stage from CBR/CDR data?
Look at whether CDR is falling, whether CBR is falling, and the size of the gap between them (growth rate).
Gap tells growth
8.1.330 cards
What is the IPAT equation?
Impact (I) = Population (P) × Affluence (A) × Technology (T).
I = P×A×T
State the IPAT equation and what it is used for.
I = P × A × T; it is used to explain how population, consumption, and technology combine to determine environmental impact.
Impact drivers
State the IPAT equation and what it is used for.
I = P × A × T; it is used to explain how population, consumption, and technology combine to determine environmental impact.
Impact drivers
What is a voluntary family planning programme?
A strategy that provides contraception, information, and services so people can choose family size without coercion.
Voluntary + contraception/services
What is the IPAT equation?
Impact (I) = Population (P) × Affluence (A) × Technology (T).
I = P×A×T
What is a voluntary family planning programme?
A strategy that provides contraception, information, and services so people can choose family size without coercion.
Voluntary + contraception/services
Why is female education considered the most effective long-term population strategy?
It reduces fertility by delaying childbirth, increasing opportunities, and improving access to family planning.
Education → lower TFR
In IPAT, what does “Affluence” mean?
Consumption per person (how much each person uses).
Consumption per person
Name three environmental pressures linked to population growth.
Food demand (land conversion), water demand (water stress), and energy demand (emissions and climate change).
Food + water + energy
In IPAT, what does “Affluence” mean?
Consumption per person (how much each person uses).
Consumption per person
Why is female education considered the most effective long-term population strategy?
It reduces fertility by delaying childbirth, increasing opportunities, and improving access to family planning.
Education → lower TFR
Name three environmental pressures linked to population growth.
Food demand (land conversion), water demand (water stress), and energy demand (emissions and climate change).
Food + water + energy
What two strategies are most effective for reducing fertility ethically?
Female education and voluntary family planning.
Education + choice
Give three ways population growth increases environmental pressure.
It increases demand for food, water, and energy, which can drive land conversion, pollution, and resource depletion.
Food + water + energy
Give two ethical arguments against coercive population policies.
They violate reproductive rights and can lead to discrimination and abuse (e.g., forced sterilisation, gender imbalance).
Human rights
Give three ways population growth increases environmental pressure.
It increases demand for food, water, and energy, which can drive land conversion, pollution, and resource depletion.
Food + water + energy
Give two ethical arguments against coercive population policies.
They violate reproductive rights and can lead to discrimination and abuse (e.g., forced sterilisation, gender imbalance).
Human rights
What two strategies are most effective for reducing fertility ethically?
Female education and voluntary family planning.
Education + choice
Why can a small rich population have more impact than a large poor one?
Higher affluence means much higher per-capita consumption and emissions, raising total impact even with fewer people.
Per-capita impact matters
Why is “consumption matters more than population” a valid argument?
Because high-consumption lifestyles can create very large impacts even with small populations, while large low-consumption populations may have lower per-capita impacts.
Per-capita impact
Why is “consumption matters more than population” a valid argument?
Because high-consumption lifestyles can create very large impacts even with small populations, while large low-consumption populations may have lower per-capita impacts.
Per-capita impact
What is an example of a pro-natalist policy and why is it used?
Policies that encourage births (e.g., childcare support or tax benefits) used in countries with ageing/declining populations.
Encourage births
What is an example of a pro-natalist policy and why is it used?
Policies that encourage births (e.g., childcare support or tax benefits) used in countries with ageing/declining populations.
Encourage births
Why can a small rich population have more impact than a large poor one?
Higher affluence means much higher per-capita consumption and emissions, raising total impact even with fewer people.
Per-capita impact matters
How should you structure an ESS ethics evaluation on population strategies?
Discuss effectiveness and unintended consequences, then evaluate ethical implications (rights, equity, who decides), and conclude with a justified judgement.
Effectiveness + ethics + conclusion
Exam tip: When discussing population and environment, what two factors must you include?
Population size and consumption patterns (affluence), not just total numbers.
Numbers + lifestyle
How should you structure an ESS ethics evaluation on population strategies?
Discuss effectiveness and unintended consequences, then evaluate ethical implications (rights, equity, who decides), and conclude with a justified judgement.
Effectiveness + ethics + conclusion
Essay tip: What makes a strong conclusion on population management?
A balanced judgement that weighs effectiveness, ethics, and evidence, and clearly justifies the recommended approach.
Balanced + justified
Exam tip: When discussing population and environment, what two factors must you include?
Population size and consumption patterns (affluence), not just total numbers.
Numbers + lifestyle
Essay tip: What makes a strong conclusion on population management?
A balanced judgement that weighs effectiveness, ethics, and evidence, and clearly justifies the recommended approach.
Balanced + justified
Topic 8.1 study notes
Full notes & explanations for Human populations
ESS exam skills
Paper structures, command terms & tips
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