Population and development

G3 Economics - syllabus K343, 2027

What drives population change, the effects of size and age structure, and why countries differ in development.

• Birth rates, death rates and migration

  Population changes through births, deaths and net migration.

• Why birth, death and migration rates differ

  Income, education, healthcare and culture shape birth and death rates; jobs, wages and safety drive migration.

• Optimum population and changes in population structure

  An optimum population makes the best use of resources; an ageing population raises costs and shrinks the workforce.

• Why countries differ in economic development

  Countries differ in income, productivity, population growth, sector structure, saving, education, healthcare and resources.

• Put it together: Respond to an ageing population

  A country's population is ageing quickly. Fewer young people are joining the workforce, while spending on pensions and healthcare rises. Compare three responses.