How is the UK's population changing?
How the UK's population structure is changing, including the causes and impacts of an ageing population; and the patterns and impacts of internal and international migration and ethnic diversity, interpreted using population pyramids and census data.
A focused answer to OCR GCSE Geography B (J384) UK in the 21st Century on population change, covering the causes and impacts of an ageing population, internal and international migration, and ethnic diversity, using population pyramids and census data.
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What this dot point is asking
This is OCR GCSE Geography B (J384) Component 2, People and Society, the opening enquiry of UK in the 21st Century: "How is the UK's population changing?" OCR expects you to explain how the UK's population structure is changing, especially the causes and impacts of an ageing population, and the patterns and impacts of internal and international migration and ethnic diversity, interpreting population pyramids and census data.
The ageing population
The causes are a rising life expectancy and a falling birth rate.
- Rising life expectancy. Better healthcare, diet, housing and working conditions mean people live longer, so more reach old age.
- Falling birth rate. More women in work and education, the cost of raising children, and access to contraception mean families are smaller, so there are proportionally fewer young people.
- The large generation born in the post-war baby boom is now reaching old age, adding to the effect.
Impacts of an ageing population
The impacts are both costs and contributions, and OCR rewards balance.
Migration and ethnic diversity
The UK's population is also shaped by movement.
- Internal migration is movement within the UK: between regions (for example towards the more prosperous south-east, or to and from cities), and by life stage (young people to cities for work and study, older people to coastal and rural areas to retire).
- International migration is movement into and out of the UK. Immigration has added many working-age people who contribute to the economy and help offset ageing, and it has made the UK more ethnically diverse.
- Ethnic diversity has increased, especially through past and recent migration. Diversity is unevenly distributed, concentrated in major cities (such as London), which census data and maps reveal. It brings cultural richness and economic benefits, alongside the need to support integration and services.
Try this
Q1. Describe what a population pyramid for an ageing population looks like. [2 marks]
- Cue. A narrow base (fewer children) and a wide top (more elderly), so it is top-heavy.
Q2. Suggest two ways the UK can manage the challenges of an ageing population. [4 marks]
- Cue. Raising the retirement age and encouraging private pensions (also using migration to fill labour gaps).
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR 20184 marksExplain why the UK has an ageing population. (Component 2)Show worked answer →
A 4-mark "Explain" question assessing AO1 and AO2 of demographic change. Markers reward developed causes.
Award credit for: people are living longer because of better healthcare, diet, housing and working conditions, so life expectancy has risen and more people reach old age. At the same time the birth rate has fallen (more women in work and education, the cost of raising children, and access to contraception), so there are proportionally fewer young people. The large generation born in the post-war "baby boom" is now reaching old age. Together a higher life expectancy and a lower birth rate raise the proportion of elderly people. Top answers link both rising life expectancy and falling birth rate to an ageing structure.
OCR 20216 marksAssess the impacts of an ageing population on the UK. (Component 2)Show worked answer →
A 6-mark "Assess" question marked by levels of response, assessing AO1, AO2 and AO3, with a judgement.
Strong answers give the negative impacts: rising pressure on the NHS and social care, a growing pension bill, and a smaller working-age population paying tax to support more dependents (a higher dependency ratio). They balance this with positive or manageable points: many older people work longer, volunteer and provide childcare, and the "grey economy" creates demand for goods and services and jobs in care and leisure. They note management responses (raising the retirement age, encouraging private pensions, migration to fill labour gaps). A good judgement weighs the costs against the contributions, concluding that an ageing population is a serious but manageable challenge. Markers reward a balanced judgement, not just a list of problems.
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Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Geography B (J384) specification — OCR (2016)