Topic Test Answers

China’s population-control policies were effective in lowering fertility and slowing population growth, which reduced short-term pressure on food, housing, employment, public services, and environmental resources. However, the one-child policy was enforced through penalties and, in some cases, forced abortions and sterilizations, violating reproductive rights. It also contributed to sex-selective practices, a shortage of women, rapid population aging, and a shrinking workforce. China later replaced it with two-child and three-child policies, but fertility has remained low because of the high costs of raising children and changing social expectations. Thus, the policies achieved their immediate demographic goal but imposed severe human-rights and long-term demographic costs.

Europe’s population is projected to decrease because it has a low percentage of children under age 15 (16%) and a relatively high percentage of people age 65 and older (16%). Low birth rates mean fewer young people are replacing the aging population, while the high life expectancy of 75 years allows people to live longer. Therefore, Europe’s population is expected to fall from about 736 million to 685 million by 2050.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Rwanda faces significant challenges to rebuilding as a nation in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. The genocide left over one million Rwandan children orphaned or acting as the head-of-household for their younger siblings. The genocide also resulted in a massive loss of population, with long-term negative social and economic consequences. The disaster destroyed significant economic infrastructure, as well as schools and healthcare facilities. All of these facilities require rebuilding if Rwanda is to become an economically and socially viable nation. Rwanda has been assisted in its efforts to rebuild by millions of dollars in international aid as well as development assistance from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).