Youthful and ageing populations (Cambridge International IGCSE Geography)

Specification link

This page covers section 6.2.2 of the CIE IGCSE specification .

• 6.2.2- The causes and impacts of youthful and ageing population structures, and an evaluation of their impact.

Causes and impacts of youthful populations

Spec point — The causes and impacts of youthful and ageing population structures, and an evaluation of their impacts.

Causes of youthful populations

• In countries where there is a high birth rate and a decreasing death rate, there is a rapid natural increase

• This may lead to:

  • a population explosion
  • a youthful population

• This is most common in LICs where the birth rate is high due to:

  • Lack of access to family planning and contraception
  • An increase in women surviving childbirth
  • Families continuing to have large numbers of children to look after their parents in old age and to help support the family
  • The culture of having larger families, which takes many years to change
  • Religious reasons

Impacts of youthful populations

Advantages

• Lots of workers which can increase economic growth
• The elderly population are supported by large numbers of younger workers

Disadvantages

• High rates of unemployment if there are not enough jobs for the large numbers of young people
• High investment needed in schools and maternity care
• High dependency ratio
• Increased pressure on services
• Social issues such as increased crime
• Increased pressure on food and water supplies leading to shortages

Causes and impacts of ageing populations

Spec point — The causes and impacts of youthful and ageing population structures, and an evaluation of their impacts.

Causes of ageing populations

• Many HICs are experiencing ageing populations and an increase in the older dependent population

  • This is often linked to a low birth rate

• The causes of an ageing population include:

  • decreasing fertility rates
  • increased life expectancy
  • improved healthcare
  • later marriage
  • costs of having children
  • better diets

Impacts of ageing populations

Advantages

• Older people may have more disposable income, which boosts the economy
• Contributions to wider community as retired people have more time to volunteer
• Older people may play a role in caring for grandchildren
• Skills and experience of older people may increase productivity

Disadvantages

• Increased pressure on healthcare as older people more likely to be unwell
• Closure of schools due to fewer children
• Cost of increasing number of pension payments
• Increasing numbers of people dependent on taxes of a decreasing workforce