(a) Study Fig. 1.1, which shows information about birth rates and death rates in Mexico (an LEDC) between 1900 and 2060 (estimated). [Figure 1.1 depicts a line graph with Year (1900-2060) on the x-axis and birth and death rate (per 1000) on the y-axis, ranging from 0 to 60. Two lines are plotted: 'birth rate' and 'death rate'. The 'birth rate' starts around 35 in 1900, fluctuates, peaks around 48 in 1940, then generally declines to around 10 by 2060. The 'death rate' starts around 35 in 1900, declines to around 10 by 1970, then slowly rises to around 10-12 by 2060. The period after 2010 is marked as 'estimated'.] (b) Study Fig 1.2, which shows population pyramids of the structure of Mexico's population in 1980 and 2010. [Figure 1.2 displays two population pyramids, one for 1980 and one for 2010. Both pyramids show age groups (0-4 to 100+) on the y-axis, divided into male and female populations on the x-axis (population in millions, 0 to 6.0). Different age bands are labelled as 'young dependent' (0-14), 'economically active' (15-64), and 'old dependent' (65+).]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Number who die/deaths per 1000 (people) per year
2. [2] Both the birth rate and the death rate have declined overall between 1960 and 2018; Natural population growth was lower in 2015 than it was in 2000
3. [3] 20-5 (1) = 15 (1) 15 per 1000 (1)
4. [4] Ideas such as: Less births/reduction in birth rate; Use/access to/can afford contraception; People more educated about using contraception/family planning; People have career/more women will be educated; Children are expensive; Government policy to reduce birth rate; More deaths/increase in death rate; Obesity/heart disease; Drug cartels/murder; Alcohol related deaths; AIDS/HIV; War/civil war. Note: No reserve on BR/DR Note: No credit for reference to high death rate ideas such as lack of hospitals/sanitation/unclean water, etc.
5. [3] Ideas such as: More economically active/working/15–64; More elderly/old (dependents)/65+; More young (dependents)/0–14/5–14/numbers in age bands up to 19 become more even, etc.
6. [5] Ideas such as: Children do not work/make money/economic burden on country/dependency rate increases; People cannot work as are caring for children; More food needed/has to be provided; More schools/childcare needed/expense of schools; More healthcare needed/expense of health care; Tax increases likely/don't pay taxes. Note: Can be phrased as impacts on parents rather than country.
7. [7] Level 1 (1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail which describe a population policy used to influence natural growth rate, e.g. one child policy. Level 2 (4–6 marks) More developed statements which describe how a population policy is used to influence natural growth rate NOT the impacts. Note: Credit different approaches within a policy, so for example, when marking a China One Child Policy answer, ideas will often cover the following: Incentives; Penalties; Exceptions; Enforcement. Note: Credit only 1 × L2 mark for each of these four ideas above, although credit should also be given for other ideas such as developing the idea such as increasing the age of marriage, Government providing free contraception which do not fit the four ideas above. Examples of developed statements e.g. one child policy and free education L2 (Incentive); one child policy and use of fines if more than one child L2 (Penalty); one child policy and parents not penalized if they have twins or a child is disabled L2 (Exception); one child policy and Granny police check if couples are conforming to law L2 (Enforcement). Note: If another country is given other ideas in the Content Guide will be relevant e.g. gender equality acts or educating women. The same stem can be used as in the China example. i.e. Have more children/x children per couple and state pays for/subsidises schooling Have more children/x children per couple and subsidised housing provided (Note: Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example) Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements including some place specific reference which can be named parts of the chosen country, Population data, reference to a specific named policy/specific details about it, etc.