1. Paper 1 Human Core
UNIT 1 Population
Recommended Prior Knowledge None is essential although some of the concepts will be familiar from IGCSE.
Context Population studies depend upon an understanding of population structure and the factors which contribute to its growth. There will be close
connections with Units 2 and 3, as population change is often clearly related to migration and may impact on settlement growth, change and pattern.
Outline The elements of growth are the starting point. However, the appreciation that movement is an integral aspect of growth and change is essential, so
the second section focuses on migration as a discrete unit. Without the link between population and resources however, the study is merely academic, so an
understanding of the final section is fundamental to this unit.
Content Objectives Terminology Teaching Strategies (TS) and Activities (A) Resources
1.1 Natural Population distribution Distribution Distinguish between these two definitions. Essential to an Nov 2006 Q. 3 Fig. 3 uses
increase as a and density across an area understanding of overpopulation and underpopulation. several ideas of population
component Density of They are fundamental to an understanding of spatial change, useful teaching aid.
of population population distributions. Carr p.5 - v.good definitions
change Global distribution showing densities is the ideal starting Prosser p.154
point. Aerial photos of people sitting on a beach can be a Chrispin pp.48-50 Very good on
useful teaching aid -people are rarely evenly distributed. all definitions
Also introduces choropleth maps as a technique. Could Witherick p.270
also show topological map of the data.
Knowledge and Crude birth rate TS Introduce basic terminology: birth rate, death rate,
understanding of Crude death rate mortality rates, fertility rates and replacement level.
natural increase and Fertility rate
natural decrease of Mortality rate Introduce the idea of overall population growth/decline
population and how Natural increase through the equation Geofactsheet 175 Global
this leads to Population Pop change = Natural increase/decrease +/- migration. population trends to 2050
population change change Population Bomb or Birth of
Migration Spatial distribution of population growth rates, i.e. global death?
Replacement level distribution. Look at statistics to compare growth rates for
different countries and groups of countries, e.g. MEDCs
Understanding of and LEDCs. Guinness and Nagle pp.174-182
replacement level to A This could be an opportunity for students to practise Bowen and Pallister pp.147-50
maintain populations interpretation of choropleth maps June 2007 Q. 4

2. Explanation of birth rates and death rates. Emphasise the Coverage on Population
role of factors and the ways in which they may change change and growth in:
over time. Hart pp.127-130
Note Gender is also an important part of the population Ross pp.102-7
change argument Carr p.4, 5, 7, 12, 14
Contrast population decline in Scandinavia and Waugh pp.357-360
Continental Europe with rapid increase of population in Witherick pp.271-5
some LEDCs Prosser pp.159-161 Good on
factors influencing natural
• Factors that Age/sex pyramid Structure of population change
influence birth rate Infant mortality TS Population pyramids. Description - Compare two Chrispin pp.53-4
and death rate rate basic shapes: the wide based-steep sided, low, narrow Geofactsheet 562 Jan 2008
• Economic, social Life expectancy topped pyramid of LEDCs and the wider based, straight Population: US Update
environmental and Dependency ratio sided, higher, wider topped pyramid of MEDCs. Nagle has detail of age-specific
political factors (a Age-specific birth birth rate p.229
long list). Ideally rate/death rate Could also consider rural and urban pyramids and Nov 2006 Q. 9 BR and DR as
they should be Cohort regional variations, e.g. South coast of England with an instrumental in pop change
supported by facts, ageing population is narrow-based and relatively wide at June 2007 Q. 10 (a) and (b)
countries and data, the top. Geofile 500 Sept 2005
to illustrate and Annotate with explanation and discuss the characteristics Demographic change and
exemplify showing higher pyramid = longer life expectancies. population policy in India and
June 2006 Fig. 3 Pyramids for China, 1990 and 2004 China
Nov 2006 life expectancy data Fig. 4 for Q. 4 Carr p.8 Fig. 2.6
• Knowledge and Ross pp.110-111
understanding of Consider a range of different age/sex pyramids which Hart pp.132-135
contrasting have particular characteristics, for instance illustrating the Guinness and Nagle pp.183-185
population following factors: influence of wars, baby booms, Nagle p.228
structures HIV/AIDS, etc. e.g. France, UK, countries in Africa. Waugh pp.353-4
Also stage of technological development will link to the Prosser pp.163-4 Four very
demographic transition model (DTM). good contrasting pyramids
Chrispin p.55
Note Remember to include migration as part of the The International Data Base of
reasoning. the US Census Bureau is an
excellent resource
www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb
Geofactsheet Contemporary
Population Issues: 3 Case
Studies: China, Italy and India

3. Witherick p.281 Figs 21 and 22
Chrispin p.51 Fig.3.24 and
p.52 Fig 3.25
Waugh p.350 - a range of
countries considered
Nagle p.230
1.2
Demographic Historical growth of Demographic Historical perspective
transition population transition The demographic transition Bowen and Pallister p.151
A model to show the stages in population growth over Limitations and good detail
time. about each phase
TS Annotated diagram can be the best way to approach Prosser p.156 fig.5.12
the model. Guinness and Nagle p.165 fig
A Students should draw it for themselves. It concentrates 7.6
their minds and engages them directly with the material. Hart p.131 Fig.5.16 Limitations
Pyramids to illustrate each stage plus examples of and p.132
countries in each stage. Ross p.108 Fig 4.10
Emphasise the fact that it is a model and a simplification Carr p.28 Very good on
of reality. Application to contrasting countries, e.g. the UK limitations – also links to
and China. development.
Consider the usefulness and limitations of the model. June 2006 Fig. 6 Q. 9 DTM
(This critical appraisal is important and may be examined). diagram – useful question
Take into consideration application to cities as well as
countries and remember that the model does not have
migration built in.
Chrispin p.51
1 Compare population pyramids for each stage Nagle p.232 Pakistan
of the model Guinness and Nagle p.171
2 Consider different methods of depicting the Brazil and p.186 China
transition Carr pp.20-3 China and pp.23-5
Tanzania
Links to development should be considered Prosser pp.157-8 China and
throughout. p.162 Botswana
Witherick pp.275-7 India
Relationship to population change should be borne in Ross pp.116-18 China and
mind throughout the teaching of this unit and mentioned Singapore
frequently.

4. Stage 5 of the model. Discuss with reference to specific
countries.
Carr pp.11-12
Ageing This may be inserted wherever it is felt appropriate. Ross p.112
populations TS and A Debate/discussion ideal on the subject of Both these books are detailed
ageing populations. Suggested title: on ageing populations
Ageing population: a blessing or a problem?
June 2007 Q. 9(b) and (c)
Prediction of ageing populations. Discussion about Geofactsheet 196 The
limited value of prediction June 2007 Q. 9(c) useful guide Globalisation of Ageing
1.3 for class discussion or piece of written work.
Population-
resource • Appreciation of a Carrying capacity Chrispin pp.80-2
relationships debate between Population ceiling Malthusian theory Guinness and Nagle pp.196-7
the pessimists and Population boom Using a series of diagrams. By increasing the population Ross pp.114-5
the optimists, or and crash level it can be seen that resources are exceeded. Fig. 3
ecologists versus Famine
economists Constraints: e.g. Consider Paul Simon’s view (economist and optimist) and Chrispin p. 83
war, hazards that of Paul Ehrlich (environmentalist and pessimist)
Lead into a discussion of consequences of rapid
uncontrolled population increase. Limitations of the theory.
Solutions Chrispin pp.86-90
• Manage population growth Chrispin pp.83-4
• Knowledge and • Increase production - land under cultivation, yield
understanding of per hectare June 2008 Q. 9 specifically
basic concepts Introduce Boserup’s more optimistic model of changing about over/under/optimum
relating population technology. population
to resources Look at the graph of population in relation to GDP per
Overpopulation person to ascertain concepts of over-, under- and Nagle p.241 good source
Underpopulation optimum population. Waugh p.378
Optimum TS It is important that case study material is geared Carr pp.35-6
population to the control of growth and the management of the
• Understanding of results of change as stated in the syllabus. Waugh p.374
sustainability It is also important to understand that these are relative Carr p.34
concepts; discovery of new resources/technology could
relieve overpopulation whilst maintaining the same Nagle pp.239-241
Sustainability absolute numbers, but the quality of life would improve. recommended

5. Carrying capacity
Food shortage
Subsistence Nov 2005 Q. 9
farming Look at relationship between population growth and June 2008 Q. 9 - a popular
growth of food production. Compare arithmetic increase question
Appropriate of food production with geometric increase of population
technology (Malthus).
Intermediate Case studies of Bangladesh -
technology Introduce idea of carrying capacity of land in relation to its overpopulation and Canada -
population. underpopulation. Use other local
Desertification examples if more suitable.
Pollution
Quality of life
Green Revolution
Ecological
footprints
1.4 The A case study of any History of population growth and change.
management ONE country, may be Substantiate with population data. June 2005 Q. 4
of natural an LEDC or an Study population structure over time. Compare age
increase MEDC. cohorts; gender. Compare BR and DR. Life expectancies.
Analysis of change over time and discussion of reasons. June 2008 Q. 10 This is an
• Appreciation of excellent question to use as a
population change Note Death rate is a vital component of population springboard for teaching this
within chosen change and is often forgotten by candidates when aspect of population change.
country discussing management/policies for controlling population
• Difficulties and growth i.e. managing natural increase. This is so
management important because maximum marks cannot be achieved
solutions unless death rates are considered.
Population policies e.g. China ‘one child’ policy,
Singapore, Russia, Germany, UK, Italy or home country.
Consequences: especially discussion of success and/or
failure e.g. gender imbalance, ageing, rural/urban
migration. The controls, the changes and then how the
country has managed the changes.