It is predicted that the UK economy will avoid another recession in the next two decades and that its population will increase significantly by 2040. Most of this predicted increase will come from immigration. By 2040, it is also expected that one in twelve people will be aged over 80. A number of countries, including some low-income countries, may have a more rapid population growth rate than high-income countries.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] (a) better healthcare
2. [1] (a) improved nutrition
3. [1] (a) better housing
4. [1] (a) better living standards
5. [1] (a) higher incomes
6. [1] (b) May increase the size of the labour force
7. [1] (b) increase the number of goods and services available / increase output / increase GDP / economic growth
8. [1] (b) May bring in new skills
9. [1] (b) raise productivity
10. [1] (b) increase the quality of products produced
11. [1] (b) Fill jobs that local workers do not want to do
12. [1] (b) reduce shortages
13. [1] (b) Fill jobs that local workers do not have the qualifications to do
14. [1] (b) reduce shortages
15. [1] (b) Increase total (aggregate) demand
16. [1] (b) which will encourage firms to increase their output
17. [1] (b) Make better use of other resources
18. [1] (b) if the country lacks labour / is underpopulated
19. [1] (b) Increase tax revenue
20. [1] (b) enabling government to spend more on e.g. education
21. [1] (b) Immigrants may set up firms
22. [1] (b) creating jobs / reducing unemployment / purchasing power
23. [1] (b) May lower costs of production
24. [1] (b) make products more affordable
25. [1] (c) The government could cut taxes
26. [1] (c) this could raise disposable income / purchasing power
27. [1] (c) which may increase consumer spending
28. [1] (c) cuts in corporate tax may provide more funds for firms
29. [1] (c) raise investment
30. [1] (c) encourage firms to expand their output
31. [1] (c) increase employment / reduce unemployment
32. [1] (c) A government could increase its own spending
33. [1] (c) example e.g. healthcare
34. [1] (c) this would increase total (aggregate) demand
35. [1] (c) encouraging an increase in output
36. [1] (c) Spending on infrastructure
37. [1] (c) may reduce firms costs and so encourage higher output
38. [1] (d) Some have a high birth rate
39. [1] (d) reasons e.g. low number of women working,
40. [1] (d) need for children to support parents in old age
41. [1] (d) lack of education
42. [1] (d) falling death rate
43. [1] (d) natural increase
44. [1] (d) due to improved healthcare
45. [1] (d) rise in incomes
46. [1] (d) Some high-income countries experience a high rate of net immigration
47. [2] (d) factors attracting immigrants e.g. job opportunities, high income
48. [1] (d) Some low-income countries experience net emigration
49. [1] (d) Some low-income countries experience natural disasters and wars
50. [1] (d) poor health care
51. [1] (d) which increase the death rate
52. [1] (d) Some high-income countries are experiencing a fall in the death rate
53. [2] (d) causes e.g. improved living standards, advances in medicines
54. [1] (d) although birth rates falling
55. [1] (d) governments may provide incentives to try to raise the birth rate
56. [1] (d) including financial aid / free child care