Population Distribution Answers

A growing young population could eventually give Niger a larger workforce, but the country must first support many children and young people who are not yet earning income. One effect to combat is pressure on schools and health-care services, which may not have enough resources to meet demand. Another is the need to create enough jobs as young people reach working age; otherwise unemployment and poverty may increase.

Demographers use censuses, which count the population and provide information such as age, household size, and location. They use vital statistics or civil records, such as birth and death registrations, to track changes in the population and calculate rates. They also use sample surveys to collect detailed information from a smaller group and generalize the results to the larger population. Migration records can show how many people move into or out of an area.

In stage one, birth and death rates are both high, so population growth is slow. In stage two, death rates fall while birth rates remain high, causing rapid population growth. In stage three, birth rates begin to decline, so population growth slows. In stage four, both birth and death rates are low, and the population is generally stable or grows very slowly.

Great Britain has a relatively mild climate and much land that is suitable for settlement. Its many coastal locations and ports supported trade, while industrialization created jobs and encouraged people to move into cities. The concentration of employment, transportation, education, and other services in urban areas helps explain why many people live in a relatively small area.

Italy’s aging population could shrink the workforce as more people retire and fewer young people enter jobs. This can make it harder for businesses to find workers and can slow economic growth. Italy must also manage higher pension and health-care costs for older people, which can put pressure on public finances and on the smaller working population that pays taxes.