IB ESS SL 8.1.3 Population Dynamics Metrics Questions
Practise IB ESS SL 8.1.3 by applying population dynamics metrics concepts to environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS SL
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- Population dynamics can be quantified and analysed by calculating total fertility rate, life expectancy, doubling time and natural increase
- Total fertility rate is the average number of births per woman of childbearing age
- Life expectancy is the average number of years that a person can be expected to live, usually from birth, if demographic factors remain unchanged
- Doubling time is the number of years it would take a population to double its size at its current growth rate; it can be calculated by using the rule of 70
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IB ESS SL 8.1.3 Population Dynamics Metrics Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 3]
Question (a)
(a)
| Population | 5.11 million |
|---|---|
| Total fertility rate | 1.86 children per woman |
| Population growth rate | 1.06% |
| Life expectancy | 82.74 years |
Table:Population statistics for New Zealand, 2023
With reference to Table: Population statistics for New Zealand, 2023, calculate the doubling time (DT) of the population of New Zealand.
[ 1 ]
(70/growth rate =70 / 1.06= ) 66.038 (years) / 66.04 (years) / 66 (years)
Note to examiners: Units are not required
Question (b)
(b)
Outline two factors which could change the expected doubling time (DT).
[ 2 ]
a. Increase in doubling time due to migration out of the country / decrease in doubling time due to immigration/in-migration;
b. Increase in doubling time due to increase in death rate due to disease e.g. pandemic/increased cost of health care / decrease in doubling time due to decrease in death rate due to advances in health care;
c. Increase in doubling time due to reduction in birth/fertility rates due to cost of raising children / decrease in doubling time due to increase in births/fertility rates as a result of government financial incentives;
d. Increase in doubling time due to reduction in birth/fertility rates due to anti
natalist policies / decrease in doubling time due to increase in births/fertility rates as a result of pro-natalist policies;
e. Increase in doubling time due to economic recession, delaying births / decrease in doubling time due to economic boom;
f. Increase in doubling time due to emancipation of women (e.g. access to family planning, contraception, higher education, employment), reducing fertility rates/delaying onset of child-bearing/delayed marriage;
Note to examiners: Responses must connect the answer to increasing/decreasing the doubling time. Do not accept catastrophic event/natural disaster as these are short-term events that are unlikely to have an appreciable effect on the doubling time.
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