Population

Question 1

Census

Answer 1

1. Census is a survey carried out every 10 years.
2. Each householder is asked to complete a detailed questionnaire about the number of people living in their home.
3. Householders answer other questions on their social, economic and cultural background.

Question 2

Scottish Household Survey

Answer 2

Scottish Household Survey is a continuous survey based on a random sample of the population which is cheaper than carrying out a full census.

Question 3

Civil registrations

Answer 3

Civil registrations of births, marriages and deaths keep an up to date count between censuses.

Question 4

Government records

Answer 4

1. Governments also collect data on migration, for example visa applications.
2. NHS records provide health data.

Question 5

National Population Sample Surveys

Answer 5

In China National Population Sample Surveys have been conducted annually, with 1% of the population being asked to complete the form.

Question 6

Sampling

Answer 6

Population surveys are conducted to gather social and economic data, and can be conducted at regional, national or international levels.

Question 7

Language barriers

Answer 7

1. Countries with many official languages have to translate their census forms and employ enumerators who can speak multiple languages.
2. Eg. Nigeria has six major languages and hundreds of unofficial languages requiring more enumerators.

Question 8

Literacy levels

Answer 8

Many people can’t read and write, and therefore are unable to complete the forms, or might make mistakes unintentionally

Question 9

Inaccessibility

Answer 9

• Poor infrastructure and difficult terrain may make it difficult for enumerators to distribute census forms.
• Eg. Amazon Rainforest.

Question 10

Wars

Answer 10

Conflict can make it too dangerous for enumerators to enter, or for data to quickly become dated.

Question 11

Cost

Answer 11

• Undertaking the census is a very expensive process, even for developed world countries.
• In developing countries, there may be higher priorities for spending, including housing, education and health care.

Question 12

Homelesness

Answer 12

• Many people in developing countries may be living in shanty towns, or are homeless, so have no official address making it difficult to count them.
• Eg. Dhararvi.

Question 13

Rural-urban migration

Answer 13

Rapid rural to urban migration, can make it difficult to gather accurate population data.

Question 14

Ethnic tension

Answer 14

1. Ethnic tensions and internal political rivalries may lead to inaccuracies.
2. E.g, northern Nigeria was reported to have inflated its population figures to secure increased political representation.

Question 15

Nomads

Answer 15

1. Nomads/shifting cultivators can be easily missed or counted twice.
2. E.g, the Fulani.

Question 16

Illegal immigration

Answer 16

Illegal immigrants are unlikely to complete a census for fear of deportation, leading to inaccurate data.

Question 17

Impact of high birth rate and growing populations

Answer 17

1. The total population will put additional pressure on services and resources like education.
2. Housing in many developing countries is already overcrowded. This problem is likely to continue, with many people being forced to live in shanty town housing.
3. There will be a much larger potential workforce which may attract multinational companies to the country.
4. An increase in the active age group, however, could also result in higher levels of unemployment or underemployment.
5. Significant investment in maternity hospitals, immunisation programmes and education will be needed.
6. It will be necessary to build more schools and train more teachers.
7. Government policies may promote smaller families or encourage emigration to reduce the problems of over-population.
8. It will also be necessary to invest in health-care to meet the needs of an ageing population.

Question 18

Impact of declining and ageing populations

Answer 18

1. The increase in elderly will lead to an increased cost of pensions to the government and increased tax contributions for the economically-active population.
2. The retirement age may need to be increased and more services for older people provided, such as care homes.
3. There will be an increased strain/costs on the Health Service to meet the needs of the ageing population for example more hip-replacements or heart medication.
4. The economically active group gets smaller and has to support a growing dependent population.
5. A declining population may mean a lower unemployment rate in the future, however a decrease in the economically active population may lead to a skills gap.
6. Citizens may be encouraged to invest in private healthcare schemes and/or pensions
7. There may also be more demands placed on adult children to care for elderly parents
8. A falling birth rate may lead to a decline in demand for services for children such as schools.
9. In the longer term, companies may have difficulty recruiting young workers.

Question 19

Push factors- Poland to UK migration

Answer 19

1. Not enough jobs with very few opportunities. Eg. in 2014 the unemployment rate in Poland was around 14%.
2. Low paying jobs resulting in a low standard of living. Eg. poor quality housing.
3. State benefits were very low compared to the UK. Healthcare in the UK is free at the point of delivery.
4. Due to increased mechanisation/privatisation of farms rural unemployment rose sharply.

Question 20

Pull factors- Poland to UK migration

Answer 20

1. Due to Poland joining the European Union, this allowed people to move freely with unlimited migration.
2. Immigrant Polish workers earned wages five times greater than they could get at home.
3. The exchange rate meant that the sterling conversion into zloty was favourable and meant that people could send money back to family members in Poland.
4. There were plenty of available jobs in parts of the economy such as in construction and trades such as plumbers and electricians.
5. Better provision of services, eg the NHS
6. The number of Poles living in the UK meant that communities of friends and family were established – this became a pull factor.

Question 21

Impact on donor country

Answer 21

1. A declining population means less pressure on limited resources like good quality housing and healthcare allowing living standards to improve.
2. Migration helps reduce the unemployment rates for the donor country.
3. Birth rate is lowered (typically migrants are male) so further reducing strain on resources such as education and health.
4. Migrants often send money home to their families meaning people have more money - helps to improve standard of living in the donor country.
5. The most educated and healthy leave which could hinder development and it tend to be older population that stay behind.
6. Returning migrants return with knowledge and skills.
7. There is less money raised in tax revenue for the donor country.
8. Families and communities are affected by separation.
9. There can be gender imbalances, as it is often males who move.

Question 22

Impact on recieving country

Answer 22

1. The economy of the country often gains, as companies are able to draw upon new pools of skills and talent.
2. The government receives tax from migrant workers.
3. Migrant workers carry out jobs that British people will not do due to low wages and unsociable hours, including fish processing, farm work and cleaning.
4. Public services can benefit, for example there is a high number of foreign nationals working in the UK’s NHS for example.
5. Generally, migrants are perceived as hard workers and many are highly skilled and/or graduates so bring sought after skills, for example in construction.
6. It creates a multicultural society – eg, shops or aisles in supermarkets selling foods and other products typical of the donor country.
7. The language barrier and cultural differences can lead to racial tension with ethnic groups tending not to integrate which can add to the tension.
8. Significant immigration may lead to over-crowded, multi occupancy accommodation due to the pressures on housing in certain areas.
9. The education system may become strained due to the number of children for whom English is not their first language.
10. A high number of migrants can lead to increased unemployment rates.
11. If the receiving country is over populated or over crowded inward migration can increase pressure on the country’s natural resources such as food and water.