2281 · 5.3
Population — FAQ
Frequently asked questions for 2281 Population. Direct answers first, then deeper explanation — then practise with marking.
Why can a rich country have a higher death rate than a poor one?
Because its population is older. The death rate counts deaths per 1 000 people of all ages, so a country where many people are over 80 records more deaths per 1 000 even though life expectancy is higher.
Is a large population good or bad for an economy?
Neither on its own. What matters is population relative to resources and capital — output per head. The optimum population is the size that makes output per head as high as possible; above it the country is over-populated, below it under-populated.
How does immigration affect the dependency ratio?
Immigrants are mostly of working age, so immigration lowers the receiving country's dependency ratio and raises the ratio in the country they leave, where the remaining population is older and younger.