In-depth

• What is the study of populations and their characteristics called?

  Demography
• What are some characteristics studied in demography?

  Size, age structure, births, deaths
• What was Britain's population in 1801?

  10.5 million
• What is the projected UK population by 2031?

  71 million
• What was the primary cause of UK population growth until the 1980s?

  Natural change: more births than deaths
• What has contributed to population growth since the 1980s?

  Net migration: more immigration than emigration
• What is the birth rate?

  Number of live births per thousand per year
• What trend has been observed in the number of births since 1900?

  Long-term decline with fluctuations
• What caused the first two baby booms in the 20th century?

  Returning servicemen starting families
• What does the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) represent?

  Average number of children per woman
• What factors determine the birth rate?

  Proportion of women of childbearing age and fertility
• How has the UK's TFR changed in recent years?

  It has risen but remains lower than before
• What are the reasons for the decline in birth rates?

  1. Changes in women’s position:

  • Legal equality and rights
  • Increased educational opportunities
  • More women in paid employment
  • Changes in family life attitudes
  • Easier access to divorce and contraception

  1. Fall in infant mortality rate
  2. Children as economic liabilities
  3. Child centredness
• What does Harper (2012) attribute to the fall in birth and fertility rates?

  Education of women leading to mindset changes
• What was the infant mortality rate (IMR) in 1900?

  154
• What is the current IMR as of 2007?

  5
• How can a fall in IMR affect birth rates?

  Parents may have fewer children if infants survive
• What are some reasons for the fall in IMR?

  Improved housing, nutrition, and hygiene
• What has contributed to children being seen as an economic liability?

  Child labor laws and compulsory schooling
• How has child centredness affected family dynamics?

  Shift from quantity of children to quality of upbringing
• What is the dependency ratio?

  Relationship between working and non-working populations
• How does a lower birth rate affect public services?

  Fewer schools and health services may be needed
• What is the death rate?

  Number of deaths per thousand per year
• What was the death rate in 1900?

  19
• What was the death rate by 2012?

  1. 9
• When did the death rate begin to decline?

  About 1870
• What caused a slight rise in the death rate during the 1930s and 1940s?

  Great economic depression and World War II
• What are the reasons for the decline in the death rate?

  1. Improved nutrition
  2. Medical improvements
  3. Reduction in smoking and diet changes
  4. Public health measures
  5. Other social changes
• How did improved nutrition affect death rates?

  Increased resistance to infection and survival chances
• What medical advancements helped reduce death rates after the 1950s?

  Antibiotics, immunisation, improved maternity services
• What has contributed to the fall in death rates in recent decades?

  Reduction in smoking among the population
• What public health measures improved health outcomes in the 20th century?

  Better housing, purer drinking water, sewage disposal
• What is life expectancy?

  Average lifespan of a person born in a given year
• How has life expectancy changed from 1900 to 2005?

  Increased from 50 years to 77 years for males
• What was the life expectancy for females born in 1900?

  57 years
• What is the projected average age by 2037?

  42.8 years
• What is the study of populations and their characteristics called?

  Demography
• What are the effects of an ageing population?

  1. Increased demand for public services
  2. Rise in one-person pensioner households
  3. Higher dependency ratio
• How does an ageing population affect public services?

  Older people consume more health and social care
• What are some characteristics studied in demography?

  Size, age structure, births, deaths