Reasons & Implications for Different Population Structures | Geography for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Introduction

• The characteristics of a population, such as the distribution of age, sex, ethnicity, and religion, collectively form the population structure.
• Population structure is influenced by changes in fertility, mortality, and migration.
• Age and sex are the primary components depicted on a population pyramid.

Population Pyramids

• Population pyramids, also known as age structure graphs, visually represent the age and gender distribution within a specific population.
• They demonstrate how the population is distributed across different age groups and between males and females.
• These pyramids assist governments at national and regional levels in evaluating the population's requirements for essential services like healthcare and education.
• This evaluation enables governments to forecast and allocate budgets effectively.
• Throughout the demographic transition phases of a country's development, the shape of the population pyramid undergoes changes.
• The population pyramid is instrumental in identifying distinct demographic groups:
  • Youth dependents
  • Elderly dependents
  • Economically active individuals (working population)
  • Dependency ratio

• LED countries like Niger display a concave pyramid shape during stage 2 of the demographic transition model.
• This shape signifies:
  • High birth rate
  • Low life expectancy
  • High death rate initially decreasing
  • High infant mortality rate
  • Presence of a predominantly young dependent population
• Factors observed in countries like Niger:
  • High birth rate
  • Low life expectancy
  • High death rate initially decreasing
  • High infant mortality rate
  • Youthful dependent population majority

Countries slightly ahead in the demographic transition, such as Nepal, exhibit a convex pyramid shape during stage 3.
This shape indicates:

• Decreasing birth rate
• Increasing life expectancy
• Declining death rate
• Reduced infant mortality
• Larger working-age population

• HIC countries such as the USA have a column shape
• Stage 4 of the demographic transition model
• This indicates:
  • Decreasing birth rate
  • Increasing life expectancy
  • Decreasing death rate
  • Low infant mortality
  • Larger working age population
• Decreasing birth rate
• Increasing life expectancy
• Decreasing death rate
• Low infant mortality
• Larger working age population

• HIC countries like Japan exhibit a pentagon shape with a narrowing base, characteristic of Stage 5 in the demographic transition model.
• This pattern signifies several key aspects:
  • Declining birth rates
  • Rising life expectancy
  • A situation where the death rate surpasses the birth rate due to the aging populace
  • Low infant mortality rates
  • An aging population leading to a higher number of elderly dependents

Implications of Population Structure

• Population pyramids serve as vital tools for identifying population-related concerns.
• These issues encompass:
  • An aging population
  • Decreasing birth rates
  • The impacts of migration

Ageing Populations

• An aging population poses various challenges and opportunities within a society.
• Key points to consider include:
  • The demographic shift towards older age groups
  • Implications for healthcare and social security systems
  • Effects on workforce dynamics and retirement patterns
  • Strategies for promoting intergenerational cohesion and support

Falling Birth Rates

Several high-income countries (HICs) and middle-income countries (MICs) are encountering declining birth rates, leading to significant implications, including:

• School closures as there are fewer children entering the education system.
• Potential future workforce shortages due to a smaller pool of young people entering employment.

Migration

• Migration in certain regions can result in an uneven population distribution.
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) displays a notable gender imbalance with a higher proportion of males than females.
• About 29% of the population comprises males aged 25 to 39, while only 10.5% are females in the same age group.
• This demographic pattern stems from the influx of males migrating to the UAE for employment in sectors like oil, gas, and construction.
• Rapid population surges in specific areas due to migration can lead to various consequences:
  • Heightened strain on essential services such as healthcare and schools
  • Inadequacy of housing facilities
  • Escalation in traffic congestion
  • Increased levels of water and air pollution
  • Scarcity of food resources
  • Lack of access to clean water
• Key impacts of migration-induced population growth include:
  • Increased demand on services like healthcare and education
  • Shortage of residential accommodations
  • Rise in traffic jams
  • Heightened pollution of water and air
  • Insufficiency of food supplies
  • Lack of availability of clean water

Case Study: Japan

• Japan's population has seen a decline, dropping from 128 million in 2007 to 125.8 million in 2020.
• The fertility rate in Japan stands at 1.36 births per woman, which is notably lower than the 2.1 fertility replacement rate.
• The birth rate in the country is 6.8 per 1000 individuals.
• The death rate in Japan is 11.1 per 1000. Interestingly, this rate has risen from 6 per 1000 in 1979.
• This increase in the death rate is not attributed to a decline in healthcare or dietary standards. Rather, it is primarily due to the larger proportion of elderly individuals who are more susceptible to illnesses and mortality.

Key Points

• The death rate increase from 6 per 1000 in 1979 is a significant demographic shift.
• The higher death rate is not a consequence of deteriorating healthcare or nutritional practices but is linked to the aging population.
• Japan boasts the highest life expectancy worldwide, with an average of 84.36 years.

Impact of Increasing Life Expectancy in Japan

Challenges of an Ageing Population

• With the rise in life expectancy, Japan is witnessing a significant increase in elderly dependents.
• This demographic shift brings several challenges:
  • Mounting pressure on healthcare and social welfare systems.
  • Escalating expenses associated with providing pensions.
  • Higher reliance on public transportation due to decreased driving among the elderly.
  • Growing demand for care facilities to accommodate the ageing population.
  • Shortages in the workforce as more individuals retire, leading to a lack of economically active replacements.

Future Implications for Japan

The ongoing trend of increasing life expectancy will likely result in:

• Elevated taxes to sustain healthcare, social welfare, and pension systems.
• Continued decline in population numbers.
• Diminished economic growth due to a shrinking workforce.
• Reevaluation of stringent immigration policies to address labor shortages.
• Consideration of pro-natalist measures to stimulate higher birth rates and promote larger families.