Changing Population Structure

Learning Objectives

• Recap understanding of the DTM and its relationship to population pyramids of different shapes.

• Be able to describe and explain spatial differences in population structure

• Understand the consequences of changing population structures – ageing population in the MEDW and youthful population in LEDW

Why could population vary spatially?

• Different living standards / level of development between regions

• Different religious, racial or national groups. • Availability of jobs / types of jobs• Uneven effects of migration.• Effects of AIDS in some countries• Decisions about availability of family planning

UK spatial variations

• Retirement towns e.g. Bournemouth will have a regressive and top-heavy structure because of the in-migration of elderly people

UK spatial variations

• New towns e.g. Milton Keynes or Stevenage will have an expanding population – a ‘bulge’ of younger, economically active people (BR will be above average)

UK spatial variations

• University towns e.g. Oxford or Cambridge will have higher proportions of young adults

• Remote rural areas e.g. central Wales will show the effects of the out-migration of young adults

Spatial variations in the LEDW

• Tanzania – Dar es Salem

Youthful populations in the LEDW

• This is known as a progressive population structure – typical of low income LEDCs e.g. Uganda

Youthful Population in India

Ageing populations in the MEDW

• The regressive population structure

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4045261.stm

The worldwide distribution of people aged 65 and over

Outline the social, economic, demographic and political implications of

an ageing population in the UK.

• Growing Grey article• Bowen and Pallister P180-181• http://www.geographyinthenews.rgs.org/new

s/article/default.aspx?id=298• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2004

/ageing/default.stm• Photocopied sheets