IGCSE Geography: Population Dynamics & Migration

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Questions and Answers

Explain how government policies can influence birth rates in a country. Provide an example of a specific policy and its intended effect.

Government policies can influence birth rates through incentives or disincentives. For example, China's one-child policy aimed to reduce birth rates by limiting the number of children a family could have.

Describe the potential social and economic consequences of a country experiencing under-population.

Under-population can lead to a smaller workforce, reduced economic output, and potential strain on social services as the tax base shrinks and there are fewer people to support the elderly.

Explain how migration can impact both the origin and destination countries, considering both positive and negative aspects.

Migration can lead to brain drain in origin countries, but remittances sent back can boost their economies. Destination countries may benefit from skilled labor but can face social integration challenges and increased competition for jobs.

Discuss how the age/sex structure of a population can impact a country's healthcare system.

<p>A country with an aging population will likely face increased demand for geriatric care and resources to address age-related diseases, while a country with a large youth population may need more resources for maternal and child health.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe how physical factors, such as climate and natural resources, can affect population density and distribution in a region.

<p>Areas with favorable climates and abundant natural resources, such as fertile soil and water, tend to support higher population densities due to better agricultural productivity and economic opportunities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain how economic factors can influence population distribution within a country.

<p>Areas with greater economic opportunities, such as industrial centers or regions with thriving service industries, tend to attract more people, leading to higher population densities compared to less developed rural areas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the difference between a nucleated and a dispersed settlement pattern.

<p>Nucleated settlements have buildings clustered together, often around a central point like a market or church, whereas dispersed settlements have buildings spread far apart, typically in rural agricultural areas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain how accessibility influences the growth and function of settlements.

<p>Settlements with good accessibility, such as those located near major transportation routes or waterways, often experience faster growth and can support a wider range of functions due to improved trade and connectivity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the concept of a 'sphere of influence' in the context of settlement hierarchy.

<p>A sphere of influence is the area from which a settlement draws its customers for goods and services; larger settlements with more specialized services have a larger sphere of influence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain why land values typically decrease as you move away from the Central Business District (CBD) in urban areas.

<p>Land values decrease with distance from the CBD because accessibility to businesses, services, and transportation is lower, reducing the attractiveness for commercial activities that generate high revenue.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe two common problems associated with rapid urban growth and suggest a solution for each.

<p>Two problems are housing shortages (solution: construction of affordable housing) and traffic congestion (solution: investment in public transportation).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain how urban sprawl can negatively impact rural areas.

<p>Urban sprawl can lead to the loss of agricultural land, increased traffic, and environmental degradation in rural areas as urban development expands outwards.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are squatter settlements? Describe two of their main characteristics.

<p>Squatter settlements are informal, unplanned settlements often lacking basic amenities. Two characteristics are inadequate housing and a lack of secure tenure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Discuss how rural depopulation can lead to urban growth.

<p>Rural depopulation, driven by factors like lack of economic opportunities and limited services, encourages migration to urban areas in search of employment and a better quality of life, contributing to urban growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe one strategy that urban planners can use to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization on the natural environment.

<p>Implement green infrastructure, such as parks and green roofs, to improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, and provide habitats for wildlife.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Flashcards

Population Dynamics

The study of how populations change in size and composition over time, influenced by factors like birth rates, death rates, and migration.

Over-population

A state where a population exceeds the capacity of its environment to provide resources and sustain life.

Under-population

A state where the population is too small to fully utilize the available resources, leading to slower economic growth and development.

Birth Rate

The number of live births per 1,000 people in a population per year.

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Death Rate

The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a population per year.

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Migration

The movement of people from one place to another, either within (internal) or between (international) countries.

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Natural Population Change

The difference between the birth rate and the death rate in a population, indicating how much a population is growing (or shrinking) naturally.

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Population Policies

Government strategies and actions designed to influence the size, growth, or distribution of a population.

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Rural-Urban Migration

The movement of people from rural areas to urban areas.

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Age/Sex Pyramid

A diagram that shows the distribution of ages and sexes in a population.

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Population Density

The number of people living within a given area, usually expressed as people per square kilometer.

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Population Distribution

The pattern of how people are spread out across a given area.

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Dispersed Settlement

A pattern of settlement where buildings are spread far apart.

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Linear Settlement

A pattern of settlement where buildings are arranged in a line.

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Nucleated Settlement

A pattern of settlement where buildings are clustered around a central point.

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Study Notes

  • Syllabus content for Cambridge IGCSE Geography 0460 for 2025 and 2026 includes population dynamics, migration, population structure, population density and distribution, settlements and service provision, urban settlements, and urbanization.

Population Dynamics

  • Understanding the causes and implications of over- and under-population is needed.
  • Should understand how birth rate, death rate, and migration influence population size changes in a country.
  • Must know the impacts of social, economic, and other factors like government policies and diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS) on birth and death rates.
  • Must evaluate population policies.
  • Case studies should cover:
    • A country which is over-populated
    • A country which is under-populated
    • A country with a high rate of natural population growth
    • A country with a low rate of population growth (or population decline)

Migration

  • Explaining the reasons for population migration is needed
  • Must demonstrate understanding of the impacts of migration.
  • Should know about internal (rural-urban) and international migrations, both voluntary and involuntary.
  • Should know the positive and negative impacts on the destination, origin, and the migrants themselves.
  • Case study should cover:
    • An international migration is required.

Population Structure

  • Must identify, explain the reasons for, and understand the implications of different types of population structure.
  • Age/sex pyramids of countries at different levels of economic development should be something to learn.
  • Case study should cover:
    • A country with a high dependent population is needed.

Population Density and Distribution

  • Describing the factors influencing population density and distribution.
  • Must know physical, economic, social, and political factors.
  • Case studies should cover:
    • A densely populated country or area (at any scale from local to regional) is needed.
    • A sparsely populated country or area (at any scale from local to regional) is needed.

Settlements (Rural and Urban) and Service Provision

  • Must explain the patterns of settlement.
  • Describing and explaining the factors influencing the sites, growth, and functions of settlements is needed.
  • Understanding the reasons for the hierarchy of settlements and services is needed.
  • Should know about dispersed, linear, and nucleated settlement patterns.
  • Must know the influence of physical factors (relief, soil, water supply) and other factors (accessibility, resources).
  • Also, high-, middle-, and low-order settlements and services, sphere of influence, and threshold population should be known.
  • Case study should cover:
    • Settlement and service provision in an area.

Urban Settlements

  • Describing the characteristics of, and changes in, land use in urban areas and know the reasons for these.
  • Must explain the problems of urban areas, their causes, and possible solutions.
  • Should know land use zones including the Central Business District (CBD), residential areas, industrial areas, and the rural-urban fringe in countries at different economic levels.
  • Understanding the effect of change in land use and rapid urban growth, including urban sprawl is needed.
  • Must know different types of pollution (air, noise, water, visual), inequality, housing issues, traffic congestion, and conflicts over land use change.
  • Case study should cover:
    • An urban area or urban areas is needed.

Urbanisation

  • Must identify and suggest reasons for rapid urban growth.
  • Describing the impacts of urban growth on both rural and urban areas, including possible solutions to reduce negative impacts.
  • Reference should be made to physical, economic, and social factors resulting in rural depopulation and movement to major cities.
  • Understanding the effects of urbanization on people and the natural environment is needed.
  • Must know the characteristics of squatter settlements and strategies to reduce the negative impacts of urbanization.
  • Case study should cover:
    • A rapidly growing urban area in a developing country and migration to it.

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