Section A Answer one question from this section. (a) Study Fig. 1.1 (Insert), information about population growth rates in 2021.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Natural increase (Birth rate minus death rate) +/– International migration (immigration minus emigration)
2. [2] Higher in Africa/lower in South America;
3. [2] More varied in Africa/less varied in South America;
4. [2] Highest growth in centre of Africa but in north-west/north/coast of South America
5. [3] Niger Mexico China Spain
6. [4] Fewer people paying taxes (1) so not enough money raised to fund government services/look after the elderly/provide health care/provide education/taxes rise (2);
7. [4] Fewer people available to join the armed forces (1) so more difficult to defend the country (2);
8. [4] Fewer people growing food (1) so need to import food/food becomes more expensive (2);
9. [4] Fewer people working (1) so less exports/less wealth created/need for more imports/resources are unused/wasted (2);
10. [4] Shortage of labour (1) so need to depend on immigration to fill jobs/or examples e.g. doctors/teachers (2);
11. [4] Closure of shops/services (1) as market for goods/services reduced/threshold population for services is not met (2); etc.
12. [4] Ageing population (1) therefore more funds needed for pensions (2);
13. [3] Overcrowded houses/lack of living space/closely packed houses/lack of privacy;
14. [3] Growth of squatter settlements/informal settlements;
15. [3] People forced to live in flood prone areas/steep hillsides/unsuitable areas;
16. [3] Lack of/polluted water/river;
17. [3] Noise;
18. [3] Lack of open space;
19. [3] Spread of disease;
20. [3] Unemployment;
21. [3] Not enough school places;
22. [3] Congested roads/traffic congestion;
23. [3] Lack of food;
24. [3] Poverty/cannot afford clothes/education/health care etc.;
25. [3] Increasing prices/inflation;
26. [3] Lack of health care/hospitals/doctors;
27. [3] Poor sanitation;
28. [3] Lack of electricity supply;
29. [3] Air pollution/smells;
30. [3] Waste disposal/litter;
31. [3] High crime rate or example;
32. [5] Governments can set a limit of the number of children/encourage people to have fewer children;
33. [5] Such as one child policy;
34. [5] Incentives/benefits can be given for those who conform; E.g. free schooling/health care;
35. [5] Punishments/sanctions can be given for those who do not conform; E.g. fines for people who have more than the amount of children allowed;
36. [5] Regulations can be strictly enforced using local people to monitor families;
37. [5] Introduction of/increasing availability of contraceptives/family planning;
38. [5] Free contraceptives can be distributed;
39. [5] Education can be given about family planning/problems of having large families/sex education;
40. [5] Abortion can be legalised/forced;
41. [5] Prioritise education for girls/women;
42. [5] Ban polygamy;
43. [5] Female empowerment/employ females;
44. [5] Introduce old age pensions;
45. [5] Encourage later marriage;
46. [5] Improve health care/reduce infant mortality;
47. [5] Policies to restrict immigration (or example);
48. [7] Content Guide: Answers relating to benefits to the destination country are likely to refer to ideas such as: Provision of workers; Increase of people with skills; Cheap workers/workers to do low skilled jobs; Cultural mix; Diversification of food/customs/traditions etc.; Income from taxation; Businesses set up by immigrants etc. Answers relating to benefits to the origin country are likely to refer to ideas such as: Remittances; Less pressure on food supplies; Return with skills; Less pressure on health care/housing/education etc. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Locational details/named areas; Statistics.