Population

• Methods of Collecting Population Data

  A census is carried out every 10 years. Each household is asked about the number of people living in the home. Householders answer questions about their social, economic and cultural backgrounds. It is accurate as it is taken at the one time. Scottish household survey is a continuous survey. It is based on random sample of the population. This is much cheaper than a full census. Governments collect data on migration through border control and visa applications. NHS records provide health data.
• Difficulties Collecting Population Data in Less Developed Countries (1)

  Countries with many languages need to translate their forms. They need enumerators who can speak multiple languages e.g. India (15 languages). Low literacy rates mean many cannot complete the forms e.g. Niger (14% literacy rate). Sheer size of a population makes it hard to gather data e.g. China (1.5 billion citizens). Inaccessibility makes areas hard to reach within the time scale if they are spread over a vast area e.g. Indonesia over so many islands. Other areas lack access due to difficult terrain e.g. Himalayas.
• Difficulties Collecting Population Data in Less Developed Countries (2)


  It is too costly for developing countries with other priorities like healthcare e.g. Malawi. Those living in shanty towns with no official address are hard to count e.g. Lagos Makoko. War or conflict makes it too difficult/dangerous for enumerators to enter. Data can be outdated quickly due to high death rates or fleeing citizens e.g. Ukraine. Nomadic people may be missed or counted twice e.g. Tuareg Tribe. Illegal immigrants fear the government or deportation so may avoid completing forms to avoid being caught.
• Consequences of an Aging/Declining Population(1)

  More elderly people means increased pension costs for government. There will be need for higher tax contributions from the working age people. Retirement age may need to be increased. This will help provide for more service like care homes for elderly. Government may encourage citizens to invest in private pensions or healthcare to fund their own retirement. Unemployment levels may decrease with less job competition. However, a skills gap may result from lack of economically active people.
• Consequences of an Aging/Declining Population(2)


  Migration may be needed to fill jobs. This can result in racial tensions between different cultures. Or more robots may be needed to do peoples jobs. There will be greater strain on NHS budgets with more elderly people. Costs will be higher for things like dementia and hip replacements. There will also be a greater demand on adults to care for elderly relatives. Lower birth rates mean less demand for child services so schools may close or merge and less maternity hospitals and midwives will be needed.
• Consequences of a Rapidly Growing Population (1)

  Total population will increase significantly putting pressure on services like education. Overcrowding and strain on housing will continue. People will have to live in shanty towns lacking toilets and clean water. Traffic congestion will increase as cities get more crowded. Strain on food and water supplies due to rising demand. Deforestation will take place to create more farmland which destroys habitats. A larger workforce may attract multinational companies to invest in the area.
• Consequences of a Rapidly Growing Population (2)


  An increase in active (working)age people will mean lack of jobs so unemployment will be high . This will lead to more crime as people work illegally or in the black market. Lost more children will require huge investment in maternity programs and vaccinations. It will be expensive to build more schools and train more teachers. Policies form government may be brought in to encourage smaller families to reduce birth rates. Emigration may be encouraged to reduce overpopulation.
• Forced Migration : Ukraine to Poland

  Fleeing citizens as they feared for safety as Russian army advanced with air strikes and attacks on towns and cities. Houses were severely damaged. Lack of healthcare available as hospitals were damaged by air strikes. Shelters became overcrowded, has poor conditions with threat of disease. Water supplies damaged and contaminated so more disease risk. Russia targeted infrastructure and power supplies. Torture and war crimes against those captured by Russian army. Poland offered residency for 18 months. Jobs were available in Poland for refugees.
• Impact on Host Country : Poland

  20% of migrants had a medical need which increased costs for Poland. Many travelling with elderly which further increases costs for medical care. Costly to set up shelters, processing centres and for translators. Poland gave legal rights to Ukrainians for 18 months placing strain on services like healthcare, educations, jobs etc. 150,000 children moved to Warsaw, placing strain on education system and demand for teachers. Half a million refugees entered Polish labour market reducing unemployment.
• Impact on Host Country : Poland (1)


  Poland has a shortage of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals which Ukrainians helped fill these jobs. Language barrier between the two countries despite being similar, takes time and effort to become fluent. Long term tensions between cultures may rise if situation continues. Public services like transport systems and road networks may face deterioration due to increased usage.
• Impact on Donor Country : Ukraine

  Broken family units as men aged 18-60 couldn't leave as they had to stay and defend country. Distorted population pyramid missing working aged females, children and elderly people. Loss of skilled workers who had fled. Some migrants may not return leading to development in areas of Ukraine. Less working in farming so cash crop export decreases. Refugees faced a dangerous and rushed journey across Ukraine to escape to Poland.