Population

In many developing economies, population growth is rapid. What is one reason for this?

Feb/March 2016

In a country, the birth rate is $30$ per $1000$ while the death rate is $35$ per $1000$, and there is no migration. What is the most likely cause of the population decline?

Feb/March 2016

The diagram illustrates how the population age structure varies across three regions of the world. Assuming all other factors remain the same, what can be inferred from the diagram?

Feb/March 2016

The age composition of many developed countries is changing. Birth rates are low, people aged over 65 are living longer, and the working population (16-65 years) forms a smaller share of the total population. What is the most likely result of this changing structure?

Feb/March 2017

It is predicted that by 2022 India will pass China to become the world’s most populous country. China’s birth rate is lower than India’s, and a larger share of China’s population is aged over 65. By 2050, it is estimated that 500 million Chinese people and 330 million Indian people will be over 65. Shifts in population size and age composition affect the amount and the standard of a country’s resources.

Feb/March 2018

The table presents the birth rate and death rate for four countries in one year. Assuming there is no migration, which country has the highest population growth rate?

Feb/March 2019

African countries are forecast to see growth in their output. It is also predicted that Africa’s population will rise from 1.1 bn in 2017 to 4.2 bn by 2100, when Nigeria will make up one in twelve of the world’s births. Nigeria and South Africa are expected to have the largest increase in investment (spending on capital goods) over this period, together with a change in their gender distribution.

Feb/March 2020

The United Nations (UN) forecasts that the population in low-income countries will rise. What is likely to be one reason for this?

Feb/March 2021

In country Z, the birth rate has fallen. In the short run, which variable will be affected?

Feb/March 2023

A town contains a population of $20\,000$. Its birth rate is $25$ per thousand and its death rate is $15$ per thousand. The number of people entering and leaving the town is exactly equal. What will the population be after one year?

Feb/March 2023

An economy is experiencing a rapid increase in population. What is the most likely reason for this?

Feb/March 2024

From 2016 onwards, South Korea’s population has been falling because the birth rate has dropped, and a large share of its people are now aged over 64. The South Korean government has used tax revenue to provide cash payments to couples so that they will have more children. Even so, many parents have decided to have fewer children and to spend more on each one so that they receive a good education. South Korea now has fewer schools, but each school is larger.

Feb/March 2024

The diagram presents population figures for a country in 1950, 2005 and 2050. What conclusion can be drawn from the diagram?

Feb/March 2025

Read the source material closely before you answer Question 1. Source material: Population, household spending and poverty in Romania From 1990 to 2022, Romania’s population dropped from 23 million to 19 million. Over this same period, both the birth rate and the death rate declined. Some workers from other countries, including Sri Lanka and Vietnam, moved to live in Romania. However, more Romanian workers left the country to work and live mainly in other European countries. If the Romanian economy keeps expanding at its relatively high rate, fewer people may leave and more immigrants may be drawn in. Recent economic growth has been driven largely by rises in household spending. Romanians have become wealthier, more optimistic about the future and have experienced low interest rates. In April 2022, the Romanian Government set a maximum price for electricity. Romanians spend a relatively large share of their income on electricity and on food. Table 1.1 shows selected countries’ GDP per head and average spending on food as a percentage of total household spending. The poor are especially affected by changes in electricity prices and food prices. Romania has a relatively high level of poverty. To reduce poverty, some economists have suggested that the government should attract more foreign multinational companies (MNCs) to Romania. More MNCs may influence poverty because of the possible effects on unemployment and prices. Another way to reduce poverty would be to encourage more women to work. The proportion of women in Romania who work or look for work has fallen in recent years. Whether women join the labour force is influenced by a range of factors. These include social attitudes, female education and whether childcare facilities and part-time work are available.

Feb/March 2025

Which of the following is not a reason why average family size is likely to be larger in developing countries than in developed countries?

May/June 2015

The charts illustrate the population structure of a country in 1960 and 2010. Over this interval, how did the birth and death rates change?

May/June 2015

The charts illustrate the population structure of a country in 1960 and 2010. Over this period, how did the birth rate and death rate change?

May/June 2015

In Russia, the ratio of males to females is $90$ to $100$. What might account for this imbalance?

May/June 2015

The charts illustrate a country’s population structure in 1960 and 2010. Over this period, how did the birth and death rates alter?

May/June 2015

Around 30% of Nigeria’s labour force works in agriculture, yet the country still spends more than US$12 billion each year on food imports. The Nigerian Government wants to cut back on food imports. However, a high birth rate and many small farms may make this hard to achieve.

May/June 2015

Poland is undergoing shifts in both its population and its economy. The country’s death rate is falling. Even though unemployment remains high in Poland, more people are moving there, especially from Spain and Italy. Poland is becoming more like a market economy, with a rising share of the labour force working in the private sector.

May/June 2015

It is forecast that by 2050 China will have 53 million fewer children under 14, 100 million fewer workers and 234 million more people aged over 60. What is the likely effect in China of these changes?

May/June 2016

The diagrams illustrate birth rate (BR) and death rate (DR) in three countries, X, Y and Z, during two years, 1 and 2. There was no migration. In which country did population increase in year 1 and decrease in year 2?

May/June 2016

Which pairing of changes to the birth rate and death rate would be most likely to raise a country’s dependency ratio?

May/June 2016

In China, a smaller share of women are now dying during childbirth, and a greater number of infants are surviving. These gains have come from improved care at birth, nationwide immunisation and better living standards. The Government has given subsidies to mothers who deliver in hospitals. This has raised the standard of care received and has also made it easier to vaccinate babies so that they are protected against illnesses and diseases.

May/June 2016

The diagram presents population forecasts up to the year 2075 for a number of selected areas. If there is no migration, which condition must be present for the population to change in the way shown in the diagram?

May/June 2017

The diagram presents population projections up to the year 2075 for selected areas. If there is no migration, which situation must be present for the population to change in the way shown in the diagram?

May/June 2017

The diagram presents population projections up to the year 2075 for selected areas. If migration is assumed to be zero, which situation must be present for the population to change in the way illustrated in the diagram?

May/June 2017

Japan’s birth rate is decreasing. Its population is getting older, and it is shrinking more rapidly than the population of any other country. This affects how much the Japanese Government spends on pensions. Its government is thinking about measures to raise the country’s birth rate and to promote immigration.

May/June 2017

The table presents a country’s historical and forecast age structure, given as a percentage (%), for 2000 to 2150. The working age range is $15-64$. Which statement describes how the dependency ratio changes across the period?

May/June 2018

In October 2015, the Chinese government changed from the one child policy to a two child policy partly because an ageing population was causing difficulties. The birth rate was already declining because more women were taking part in the labour force, education levels were improving, marriages were happening later, and housing prices were rising rapidly.

May/June 2018

In a country, the birth rate rose, yet the population fell. What might have happened to other factors to lead to this?

May/June 2019

In a country, the birth rate rose yet the population fell. What might have happened to the other factors to bring about this?

May/June 2019

In a country, the birth rate went up but the population went down. What change in other factors could have led to this?

May/June 2019

Many economists have suggested that the 21st century may turn into the ‘African century’ because the working-age population there is expanding. Projections indicate that by 2030, Africa’s share of the rise in the global labour force will be larger than that of the rest of the world. This will influence incomes, saving, and economic policies in African countries.

May/June 2019

The diagrams illustrate birth rate (BR) and death rate (DR) in three countries, X, Y and Z, across two years, 1 and 2. There was no migration. In which country did the population rise in year 1 and fall in year 2?

May/June 2021

The diagrams illustrate birth rate (BR) and death rate (DR) for three countries, X, Y and Z, across two years, 1 and 2. There was no migration. In which country did population increase in year 1 and decrease in year 2?

May/June 2021

The diagrams illustrate birth rate (BR) and death rate (DR) in three countries, X, Y and Z, over two years, 1 and 2. There was no migration. In which country did the population rise in year 1 and then fall in year 2?

May/June 2021

Turkey’s birth rate is declining, so the supply of labour is likely to shrink. Even so, better labour quality and the growing number of foreign multinational companies (MNCs) operating in Turkey (the host country to the MNCs) may enable the economy to avoid a recession. Economists are also concerned that a recession could happen because interest rates are expected to rise.

May/June 2021

Study the source material thoroughly before you answer Question 1. Source material: Cyprus Cyprus fact file Life expectancy (years): 2015 - 79, 2019 - 81 GDP per head: 2015 - $23334, 2019 - $27900 Population: 2015 - 1100000, 2019 - 1200000 Birth rate (per 1000): 2015 - 11.0, 2019 - 10.2 Cyprus is a small country with a relatively high HDI ranking in 2019. It exports a mix of goods and services, such as fruit, pharmaceuticals and clothing. Cyprus buys in most of the food it eats, although it grows most of its own grapes and potatoes. In 2019, poor weather affected the world grape harvest. Global grape production dropped by 35% and this created a shortage. Around 14% of Cyprus’s labour force works in the primary sector. The average age of Cyprus’s workers is rising and more people are now continuing to work beyond retirement age. This is especially true of highly qualified workers, who are usually well-paid, healthy and employed in jobs that do not depend on physical strength. Rising life expectancy and the higher cost of paying state pensions led some economists to propose increasing the retirement age. That change would affect the government’s budget balance. In 2019, the Cypriot government recorded a budget surplus. However, Cyprus had a deficit on the current account of its balance of payments. A country’s current account balance can be affected by its inflation rate. Fig. 1.1 shows selected countries’ inflation rates (%) and current account balances (% of GDP) in 2019. Fig. 1.1 Inflation rates (%) and current account balances (% of GDP) in selected countries 2019. Inflation rate (%) and current account balance as % of GDP for: Cyprus, Iceland, Kenya, Mongolia, Nepal, Slovenia. Cyprus had a very low interest rate in 2019. It was expected that this would affect the country’s investment. Since 2015, some firms in the country have become more capital-intensive. This has influenced Cyprus’s productivity and may have affected the quality of the products made. In 2019, two future concerns for Cyprus’s economy were that some of its agricultural land may become less productive and that some of its leading entrepreneurs may leave the country.

May/June 2022

If all other factors stay the same, what will lead a population to both grow and get older?

May/June 2023

What could account for rapid population growth in some developing countries?

May/June 2023

Germany’s death rate is above that of several other countries, including Sweden, Cuba and the Maldives. Between 2011 and 2021, Germany’s labour force grew in size and has become more productive. The country has also had low inflation and a rising surplus on the current account of its balance of payments.

May/June 2023

After the recession Albania went through in 2013, emigration rose sharply. Albanian workers and students living in other countries have shown very little intention of going back. Even so, the government is trying to introduce policy measures that could persuade more people to return to the country.

May/June 2023

The chart illustrates the population pyramid for a country. What is the most likely reason for the population pyramid to have this shape?

May/June 2024

An increase in which factor would lead to a higher population growth rate in a country?

May/June 2024

The table presents population statistics for three countries in a specific year. What conclusion can be drawn from the table?

May/June 2024

Which pair of statistics is used to work out a country's natural population growth?

May/June 2025

Japan’s population contains a rising share of elderly people. What is the probable effect of this on the Japanese economy?

May/June 2025

What factor will raise a country’s population, assuming everything else remains unchanged?

May/June 2025

Colombia’s population pyramid is taking on a different shape. However, the way income is distributed in this South American country is not changing much. Colombia has one of the most unequal income distributions in the world. Some Colombians are employed in its footwear industry, which makes shoes, sandals and boots. Even though footwear is produced by private firms, Colombia has a mixed economic system.

May/June 2025

In what way would the shares of the various age groups in the population differ between low-income developing countries and high-income developed countries?

Oct/Nov 2015

As stated by the United Nations, the proportion of the world’s population living in developing countries is expected to rise from 83% in 2003 to 88% in 2050. What is the most likely main reason for this forecast change?

Oct/Nov 2015

In developed countries, an ageing population has led to changes in population structure. What outcome results from this change?

Oct/Nov 2015

If nothing else changes, the population is most likely to rise when there is a decrease in

Oct/Nov 2015

The diagram presents population data for Japan in 1950, 2005 and 2050. From the diagram, what conclusion can be drawn?

Oct/Nov 2015

The global population is projected to increase to 9 billion by 2050. It is expected that Nigeria, a developing country with a mixed economy, will rise from the seventh-largest population at 158 million in 2013 to the third-largest at 400 million in 2050. To slow population growth, some governments use a variety of government policy measures.

Oct/Nov 2015

In 2010, net emigration from Ireland rose. What was the most likely reason for this rise?

Oct/Nov 2016

In 2010, net emigration from Ireland rose. What was the most likely reason for this rise?

Oct/Nov 2016

What would be most likely to make the population fall if all other factors stay the same?

Oct/Nov 2016

In developed countries, the share of people aged $65$ and above is large and continues to rise. Which economic consequence is most likely to arise from this type of change in population structure?

Oct/Nov 2016

Most countries have a population made up of more women than men. Iran, though, is an exception. In the 1990s, the Iranian Government aimed to bring the country’s birth rate down. The policies it introduced were highly effective and the birth rate declined. In 2012, however, the government changed its aim and is now trying to encourage people to have more children. The reason for this policy change is concern about the consequences of an ageing population caused by a falling death rate.

Oct/Nov 2016

The charts illustrate a country’s population structure in 1960 and 2015. What fell between 1960 and 2015?

Oct/Nov 2017

Which factor is most likely to lead to an increase in population growth in a developing country?

Oct/Nov 2017

The charts illustrate the population structure of a country in 1960 and 2015. What went down between 1960 and 2015?

Oct/Nov 2017

At the beginning of the year, a developing country had a population of 1 000 000. Its birth rate was 16.0 per thousand per annum, and its death rate was 8.0 per thousand per annum. By the end of the year, the population had risen to 1 005 000. What might account for this change in population?

Oct/Nov 2017

A country has equal birth rate and death rate. What is likely to happen if the birth rate falls, while the death rate and migration stay unchanged?

Oct/Nov 2017

The charts compare the population structure of a country in 1960 and 2015. What fell between 1960 and 2015?

Oct/Nov 2017

Nauru is among the world's smallest countries, with a population of only 10 000. Fifty years ago, its population was one of the richest per head in the world, mainly because it exported phosphate that had built up over many centuries from sea-bird droppings. This labour-intensive industry has shrunk sharply. Today, incomes are much lower and one third of workers are jobless.

Oct/Nov 2017

Iran has recently experienced a natural increase in population. What is the most likely reason for this increase?

Oct/Nov 2018

Which factor will result in an ageing population if all other factors stay the same?

Oct/Nov 2018

In 2015, Spain had a higher death rate than birth rate for the first time since 1939. It is predicted that its population will decrease by 5.6 million over the next 50 years. A fall of this size would probably affect both the number and size of the country’s firms and also influence the environment. There are several different ways of increasing a country’s population.

Oct/Nov 2018

In Botswana, improvements in healthcare have caused birth rates to fall more quickly than death rates. In addition, the average number of children born to each woman has dropped from 6.4 to 3.2. What conclusion can be drawn from this information?

Oct/Nov 2019

In Botswana, improvements in healthcare have caused birth rates to fall more quickly than death rates. In addition, the average number of children born to each woman has dropped from 6.4 to 3.2. What can be concluded from this information?

Oct/Nov 2019

In Botswana, improvements in healthcare have caused birth rates to decrease more quickly than death rates. In addition, the average number of children born to each woman has fallen from 6.4 to 3.2. What conclusion can be drawn from this information?

Oct/Nov 2019

It is forecast that the UK economy will not slip into another recession over the next two decades, and that the population will rise sharply by 2040. Most of this projected growth is expected to result from immigration. By 2040, it is also forecast that one in twelve people will be aged over 80. Several countries, including some low-income countries, may experience population growth at a faster rate than high-income countries.

Oct/Nov 2019

Zambia is classified as a middle-income country, yet 60% of its population of 15 million live below the poverty line. In 2017, the Zambian government said that it planned to shift the country’s capital from Lusaka in the south of the country to Ngabwe, a village in the centre of the country. Ngabwe at present has poor roads and other infrastructure. A move to Ngabwe, however, could help the country deal with its rapid rate of population growth and could encourage entrepreneurs to establish new businesses in that area. In 2017, the country had a zero net migration rate, a birth rate of 41.8, a death rate of 12.4, and a life expectancy of 52.5 years. Zambia’s economic growth rate averaged 6.8% between 2004 and 2014. This rate declined after 2014 partly because the kwacha, Zambia’s currency, depreciated. The drop in the foreign exchange rate of the kwacha helped push the country’s inflation rate up from 10.1% in 2015 to 20.6% in 2016. In 2017, the labour force of 7.2 million represented 48% of the country’s population. Workers are employed in a variety of industries including agriculture, banking, building, copper mining, and emerald mining. Fig. 1.1 shows the link between copper output and revenue from the sale of copper, with 2010 as the index base of 100. Fig. 1.1 Copper output and revenue from the sale of copper 2010-17 (index numbers). The vertical axis is labelled "index" and ranges from 60 to 140. The horizontal axis shows years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017. A solid line is labelled "Copper output". A dashed line is labelled "Revenue from the sale of copper". In 2017, Zambia’s central bank cut commercial bank lending. This reduced investment and household borrowing. Government spending increased more slowly and some reductions were made to government spending on training.

Oct/Nov 2019

What factors lead to a country’s birth rate falling?

Oct/Nov 2020

Istanbul has the biggest population of any city in Turkey. By 2014, its population was around 14 times the 1955 figure. This may have been caused by stronger movement from rural districts into cities and by better healthcare. Istanbul also has the highest output per head among all regions in Turkey. Well-developed transport connections have helped Istanbul’s economy to expand. Along with strong land transport, Istanbul also has the 14th largest airport in the world when measured by passenger numbers. From Istanbul, access is available to a market worth $24 trillion and 1.5 billion people within a flight time of 4 hours. In addition to cheap international air travel to and from Istanbul, domestic air travel is also very inexpensive. This is most likely because of economies of scale. Competition in this sector is also intense, which affects prices and the quality of service. Expansion in transport industries, together with growth in financial services, has made a large contribution to Istanbul’s growth rate, as shown in Table 1.1. Foreign investment is going into Istanbul. Multinational companies (MNCs) are viewing Istanbul as an appealing place to invest because the cost of living is low. These MNCs affect employment, the level of technology and wages in Istanbul. However, there is concern that this confidence in the Turkish economy may not continue. Many firms have relied on borrowing to fund expansion. Higher interest rates around the world may make it more difficult for such firms to keep borrowing and also to win new customers. If worries about tourist safety in Turkey rise in the future, fewer people may book flights to Turkey.

Oct/Nov 2020

The birth rate in a country is higher than the death rate. What factor could stop the country’s population from growing?

Oct/Nov 2021

The table presents data on four countries, A-D. Which country is most likely to experience a decline in population?

Oct/Nov 2021

What is the typical impact of net immigration for a high-income country?

Oct/Nov 2022

Which circumstance is required to result in an ageing population?

Oct/Nov 2023

What is the most probable effect of an ageing population on a high-income economy?

Oct/Nov 2023

Which combination would be most likely to lead to an increase in a country’s population?

Oct/Nov 2023

Which economic effect is most likely to arise from a growing share of the population being older than 65?

Oct/Nov 2023

In 2020, Singapore saw both its population size and its labour force fall. That year brought major changes in several Singaporean markets; some shifted from disequilibrium to equilibrium. Even so, Singapore still managed to raise its exports of goods and services.

Oct/Nov 2023

The table gives information about birth rate, death rate and net migration for a number of countries in one year. What conclusion can be drawn from the table?

Oct/Nov 2024

The population pyramids for country 1 and country 2 in a particular year are shown. What can be concluded from these population pyramids?

Oct/Nov 2024

The charts depict the population structure of a country in year X and year X + 50. Across this period, what changes took place in the birth and death rates?

Oct/Nov 2025

In a country where the birth rate is decreasing and the death rate is increasing, and where more of its adults of working age (16-60 years) are looking for jobs overseas, what effect is this likely to have on the size of the different age groups in that country?

Oct/Nov 2025

The population sizes of four countries, A, B, C and D, are each the same. From the changes shown in the table, which country is most likely to experience the greatest population growth?

Oct/Nov 2025