Population structure describes the distribution of age groups (number or percentage in each age group) within a population along with the gender balance for each age group.
2. What is a purpose of a population pyramid? (1)
A population pyramid graphically represents the population structure (age and gender) of a location, such a country or city.
3. What is the demographic transition model? (2)
The DTM is a geographical model, first proposed in the 1920s, which seeks to describe the five stages of changing birth and death rates through which most populations pass as a country develops economically and becomes more urbanised and their impact on total population size.
4. Describe the features of a population at stage 2 of the demographic transition model. (3)
At Stage 2 of the DTM, an ‘early expanding’ population will see rapid population growth as death rates begin to decline but birth rates remain at a historically high level.
5. Describe the features of a population found at Stage 5 of the demographic transition model. (3)
At Stage 5 of the DTM, a late declining population will see natural increase move into the negative. Without migration the population will decline as low birth rates are outstripped by a rising death rates resulting from an ageing population.
6. What percentage of the UK population was aged under 10 years in 1951 and 2001? (2)
Around 16 % of the population of the UK was under 10 in 1950 compared to around 12½ % fifty years later.
7. Which stage of the demographic transition model is suggested by the population pyramid for the UK in 1901? Give reasons for your answer. (4)
In 1901 it appears that Britain was at early stage 3 of the DTM. The wide base of the pyramid suggests a relatively high birth rate but the small declines in the bars immediately above the base suggests a declining level of infant and child mortality and an overall declining death rate. Early stage 3 is suggested as the decline in birth rates seem in this stage has not yet occurred and in 1901 there was less effective access to contraception which would have helped women control their fertility more effectively.
8. Which stage of the demographic transition model is suggested by the population pyramid for the UK in 2011? Give reasons for your answer. (4)
The population pyramid for 2011 suggests that Britain is at late Stage 4 of the DTM. The sides of the pyramid are quite straight suggesting a low mortality rate, while the relatively large percentage of people over the retirement age suggests a high life expectancy. The increase in the 0-4 age population, compared to the ten year age groups above suggest that the UK has not yet moved in to Stage 5, although it was moving in this direction until recently.
