Core Human Geography (Case Studies)
Cambridge International AS and A Level Geography
Cases for Topics 4-6
For Syllabus 9696
4. Population:
• Japan’s Ageing Population
• Gambia’s Young Population
• Sudan and South Sudan
• Managing Natural Increase in China
5. Migration:
• Brazil’s internal migration
• Tibet’s changing ethnic balance
• Diasporas in London
• International Migration from Mexico to the USA
6. Settlement Dynamics:
• Rural Mongolia
• Isle of Purbeck
• Heliopolis
Population
Japan’s Ageing Population
It has most rapid ageing pop. in history of world:
➢ 33% +60 ages.
➢ Median age 46. Oldest pop.
➢ Pop. peaked at 128 million 2005 – 2010.
➢ Predicted 50 million decline by end of century.
➢ Total fertility rate is 1.4
➢ 13% under 15.
➢ Nearly 1/5 Japanese +65.
High elderly dependency ratio economic + social challenges for country, healthcare,
pensions, care etc… Workforce peaked 67.9 million in 1998, declining since. Presents
increasing burden on economy. Elderly participation rate high. Jap. Men work avg. +5
years after retirement. Got tradition of positive attitudes towards elderly. Got holiday to
, respect the elderly every year. Tradition for family look after elderly. People living in
care homes rising. Cost of care shared between gov, family + elderly person. Emergence
of ageing as genre. Younger people wanted for jobs. Reduction in working pop as when
old die.
Allowing immigrants into country unacceptable. Tradition says immigrants make country
less pure. 1% make up immigrant pop. Legal immigration practically impossible + illegal
suppressed.
UN predicts by 2045 for every 4 20-64 will be 3 over 65. Pension reforms have been
implemented, later retirement, higher contributions for employers. Further changes
required.
Gambia’s Young Population
Country with high young dependent pop.
➢ Got young + fast growing pop. Big demands resources of country.
➢ 95% country pop. Muslim, until recently religious leaders against contraception.
Cultural tradition means women little say on family size.
➢ Children were viewed as economic asset, help with crops. 1/3 children 10-14
working.
➢ 2012 infant mort. Rate 70/1000, 44% pop. young dependents, 2% elderly
dependents. Dependency ratio = 85.
➢ Many parents struggle provide basic housing for family. Huge overcrowding + lack
sanitation, children sharing same bed.
➢ Rates unemployment + underemployment high + wages low. Parents struggle
provide basics.
➢ Many schools operate on two shift systems. 1 group of children in morning + other in
afternoon.
➢ Another sign pop. pressure = deforestation for firewood. Desertification increases +
faster.
➢ Recent years gov introduced family planning campaign accepted by religious leaders.
➢ Family planning programmes little success. Total fertility falling 6.1 in 1970 to 5.6 in
2013.
Sudan and South Sudan
Used to be 1 country until 2011. Suffered from food shortages for decades. Long civil war +
drought main reasons for famine, many associated factors as well:
Physical factors
Long term decline of rainfall in south. Increased rainfall variability. Increased use marginal
land leading to degradation. Finally, flooding.
, Social Factors
High pop. growth. 3% linked to use of marginal land + overgrazing, overuse. High female
illiteracy rates, 65%. Poor infant help + increased threat of AIDS.
Agricultural factors
High variable per person food production. Long term trend is static. Static or falling crop
yields, cereals + pulses. Low + falling fertilisers use, lack of exports. Lack of food surplus for
crisis.
Economic/Political factors
High dependency on farming, 70% labour force + 37% of GDP. Dependency on food imports
(13% consumption 1998-2000. Exporting none food goods e.g. cotton. Limited market to
buy food or infrastructure to distribute. Debt + debt repayments limit social + economic
spending. High military spending. Conflict reduces food production.
Situation compound by:
• Lack gov. + political will
• Slow donor response
• Limited access to famine areas
• Regional food shortages
Civil war lasted over 20 years, between gov. in Khartoum + rebels in western region
Darfur in South. War part financed by oil. Big issue between both sides during war was
sharing of oil wealth between gov.-controlled North + rebel South where much oil
found. UN estimated 2 million displaced, 70,000 dead from hunger + associated
diseases. At times UN stopped delivering AID cause too dangerous.
Managing Natural Increase in China
China, pop. excess 1.3 billion operating world’s strictest family planning programme since
1979. 1 child policy drastically reduced pop. growth but caused other problems such as:
➢ Demographic ageing
➢ Unbalanced sex ratio
➢ Generation spoilt only children
➢ Social divide as wealthy couples buy round legislation.
Chinese demographers say 1 child policy successful in preventing at least 300 million births.
Played significant role in economy growth. 3rd largest country in world due to land area. 25%
Cambridge International AS and A Level Geography
Cases for Topics 4-6
For Syllabus 9696
4. Population:
• Japan’s Ageing Population
• Gambia’s Young Population
• Sudan and South Sudan
• Managing Natural Increase in China
5. Migration:
• Brazil’s internal migration
• Tibet’s changing ethnic balance
• Diasporas in London
• International Migration from Mexico to the USA
6. Settlement Dynamics:
• Rural Mongolia
• Isle of Purbeck
• Heliopolis
Population
Japan’s Ageing Population
It has most rapid ageing pop. in history of world:
➢ 33% +60 ages.
➢ Median age 46. Oldest pop.
➢ Pop. peaked at 128 million 2005 – 2010.
➢ Predicted 50 million decline by end of century.
➢ Total fertility rate is 1.4
➢ 13% under 15.
➢ Nearly 1/5 Japanese +65.
High elderly dependency ratio economic + social challenges for country, healthcare,
pensions, care etc… Workforce peaked 67.9 million in 1998, declining since. Presents
increasing burden on economy. Elderly participation rate high. Jap. Men work avg. +5
years after retirement. Got tradition of positive attitudes towards elderly. Got holiday to
, respect the elderly every year. Tradition for family look after elderly. People living in
care homes rising. Cost of care shared between gov, family + elderly person. Emergence
of ageing as genre. Younger people wanted for jobs. Reduction in working pop as when
old die.
Allowing immigrants into country unacceptable. Tradition says immigrants make country
less pure. 1% make up immigrant pop. Legal immigration practically impossible + illegal
suppressed.
UN predicts by 2045 for every 4 20-64 will be 3 over 65. Pension reforms have been
implemented, later retirement, higher contributions for employers. Further changes
required.
Gambia’s Young Population
Country with high young dependent pop.
➢ Got young + fast growing pop. Big demands resources of country.
➢ 95% country pop. Muslim, until recently religious leaders against contraception.
Cultural tradition means women little say on family size.
➢ Children were viewed as economic asset, help with crops. 1/3 children 10-14
working.
➢ 2012 infant mort. Rate 70/1000, 44% pop. young dependents, 2% elderly
dependents. Dependency ratio = 85.
➢ Many parents struggle provide basic housing for family. Huge overcrowding + lack
sanitation, children sharing same bed.
➢ Rates unemployment + underemployment high + wages low. Parents struggle
provide basics.
➢ Many schools operate on two shift systems. 1 group of children in morning + other in
afternoon.
➢ Another sign pop. pressure = deforestation for firewood. Desertification increases +
faster.
➢ Recent years gov introduced family planning campaign accepted by religious leaders.
➢ Family planning programmes little success. Total fertility falling 6.1 in 1970 to 5.6 in
2013.
Sudan and South Sudan
Used to be 1 country until 2011. Suffered from food shortages for decades. Long civil war +
drought main reasons for famine, many associated factors as well:
Physical factors
Long term decline of rainfall in south. Increased rainfall variability. Increased use marginal
land leading to degradation. Finally, flooding.
, Social Factors
High pop. growth. 3% linked to use of marginal land + overgrazing, overuse. High female
illiteracy rates, 65%. Poor infant help + increased threat of AIDS.
Agricultural factors
High variable per person food production. Long term trend is static. Static or falling crop
yields, cereals + pulses. Low + falling fertilisers use, lack of exports. Lack of food surplus for
crisis.
Economic/Political factors
High dependency on farming, 70% labour force + 37% of GDP. Dependency on food imports
(13% consumption 1998-2000. Exporting none food goods e.g. cotton. Limited market to
buy food or infrastructure to distribute. Debt + debt repayments limit social + economic
spending. High military spending. Conflict reduces food production.
Situation compound by:
• Lack gov. + political will
• Slow donor response
• Limited access to famine areas
• Regional food shortages
Civil war lasted over 20 years, between gov. in Khartoum + rebels in western region
Darfur in South. War part financed by oil. Big issue between both sides during war was
sharing of oil wealth between gov.-controlled North + rebel South where much oil
found. UN estimated 2 million displaced, 70,000 dead from hunger + associated
diseases. At times UN stopped delivering AID cause too dangerous.
Managing Natural Increase in China
China, pop. excess 1.3 billion operating world’s strictest family planning programme since
1979. 1 child policy drastically reduced pop. growth but caused other problems such as:
➢ Demographic ageing
➢ Unbalanced sex ratio
➢ Generation spoilt only children
➢ Social divide as wealthy couples buy round legislation.
Chinese demographers say 1 child policy successful in preventing at least 300 million births.
Played significant role in economy growth. 3rd largest country in world due to land area. 25%
