Practise Cambridge IGCSE Economics by interpreting population data, explaining demographic effects and evaluating migration, healthcare and labour-supply policies.
The Central African country Chad has a triangle-shaped population pyramid and a high level of poverty. It regularly has an overall deficit on the current account of its balance of payments. Chad usually has a surplus on its secondary income. However, its trade in goods, trade in services and primary income are all usually in deficit. Some economists suggest that the Chadian Government should impose import quotas to reduce its trade in goods deficit.
Explain two influences on the shape of a country's population pyramid.
Explain two influences on the shape of a country's population pyramid.
Logical explanation which might include:
- birth rate / fertility rate ( 1 ) a high birth rate / fertility rate will result in a wide base for the pyramid (1)
- life expectancy / death rate / aging population ( 1 ) high death rate / low life expectancy will result in a narrow top for the pyramid (1)
- migration ( 1 ) high immigration of people of working age would result in a wide middle in the pyramid (1)
- gender balance (1) example of imbalance in overall shape of pyramid (1).
One mark each for two influences identified and one mark each for two explanations.
If more than two influences are given, consider the first three.
Note: accept low birth rate, high life expectancy, emigration with reverse explanation.