(a) Study Fig. 1, which shows population pyramids for Australia and Canada (MEDCs). (b) Study Fig. 2, which shows information about changes in the percentage of the world population of different ages between 2000 and 2040 (estimated).

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] 2.5 million
2. [2] Similarities such as: (Both) have large numbers of old dependents/80+/65+; (Both) have large numbers of economically active/economically active is biggest/both have more/most economically active; (Both) have low number of young dependents; (Both) have more women than men at 80+; (Both) have a gender balance overall; The lowest sector is old dependents in both countries; Differences such as: Canada has more 80+ than Australia/more old dependents; 45-49 is largest age group in Canada but 35–39 in Australia; Canada has more economically active; Canada has more young dependents; Note: Assume Australia first if countries not named. Differences must compare.
3. [3] Ideas such as: use of/availability/affordability of contraception/family planning; contraception/family planning – education about it; modern attitudes to family size/children are expensive/people don't want a lot of children; people have careers/careers are more important; education of women; emancipation of women; impact of secular society/religion less important; low infant mortality rates; government support for old age; same gender marriages; later marriages/people opt to have children at a later age; legalised abortion/abortion available etc.
4. [4] Ideas such as LEDCs are likely to have: more/higher percentage of young dependents; less/lower percentage of old dependents/less old people; less/lower percentage of economically active; less people/lower percentage at 80+; lower average age Note: The answer must compare MEDC and LEDC not within the LEDCs. (e.g. there are more young dependents than old dependents = 0 but there are more young dependents in LEDCs than MEDCs =1) Do not allow references to shape. Not birth and death rates. Assume LEDCs first can do other way around but must specify if they do. Do not credit reference to single age group with exception of 80+ or reasons.
5. [3] Ideas such as: 0-14 = decrease/20 or 21% to 15% or by 6/7%; 65 and over = large/rapid increase/12% to 25% or by 13%; 80 and over = small/slow/steady increase/1% to 4% or by 3% Note: If neither increase is qualified, award one mark overall for increase idea.
6. [5] Ideas such as: problems of providing pensions/they need pensions; increased pressure on hospitals/health services; need to invest more in health/welfare services; increased dependency ratio; lower earnings through taxation/need to increase taxes; increased need for old peoples' homes; difficulty of recruitment for armed forces/difficult to defend country; less innovative workforce; closure of schools; strain on economically active; economic decline/GDP falls/country goes into debt; difficulty of finding workers/smaller working population/less workers in future; increase retirement age; less money to spend on development of other services/infrastructure; have to increase immigration etc.
7. [7] Level 1 (1 to 3 marks): Statements including limited detail which describe the consequences of over-population.
8. [7] Level 2 (4 to 6 marks): Uses named example. More developed statements which describe the consequences of over-population. (Note: Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example)
9. [7] Level 3 (7 marks): Uses named example Comprehensive and accurate statements including some place specific reference.
10. [7] Content Guide: Answers are likely to refer to: poverty; people do not have enough resources; pressure on energy supplies (or example)/strain on utilities e.g. gas or electricity; lack of work; inadequate food supplies/malnourished/starvation; poor access to education/government spend more on education; poor access to health care/government spend more on healthcare; overcrowded housing/homeless/shanty towns develop; inadequate water supply/sanitation/government spend more on water supply or sanitation; overuse of agricultural land/overgrazing; deforestation/loss of natural vegetation/habitats; increase in specified pollution type (MAX 1) etc. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Named parts of the chosen country, Population data etc. Note: Development is of the consequence. Max 1 x L2 for development of consequences of One Child Policy idea but do not credit strategies to enforce policy.