Demographic transition: past paper questions
Real questions on demographic transition
The newest 20 of 34 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9696/22 · May/June 2026 · Q4a[7]
Compare the population characteristics of a youthful population with the population characteristics of an ageing population.
See it on the paper → - 9696/22 · May/June 2026 · Q4b[8]
With the aid of examples, explain why death rates are declining in many LICs and MICs.
See it on the paper → - 9696/22 · May/June 2026 · Q4c[15]
With the aid of examples, evaluate the use of the demographic transition model (DTM) in predicting future population change. Migration
See it on the paper → - 9696/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[7]
Describe how the structure of the population influences the dependency ratio for a country.
See it on the paper → - 9696/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[8]
With the aid of examples, explain the role of constraints in relation to sustaining population.
See it on the paper → - 9696/21 · May/June 2025 · Q4c[15]
‘A decrease in the birth rate will lead to economic decline in many HICs.’ With the aid of examples, how far do you agree with this statement? Migration
See it on the paper → - 9696/23 · May/June 2025 · Q1b[2]
Using the data in Table 1.1, suggest why the population growth rate in South America is likely to be slower in the future.
See it on the paper → - 9696/21 · May/June 2024 · Q1c[4]
Explain why a government might try to increase a country’s population. Migration
See it on the paper → - 9696/22 · May/June 2024 · Q4a[7]
Describe the stages of the demographic transition model (DTM).
See it on the paper → - 9696/22 · May/June 2024 · Q4b[8]
With the aid of examples, explain why population change in LICs/MICs may not follow the demographic transition model (DTM).
See it on the paper → - 9696/22 · May/June 2024 · Q4c[15]
‘Economic factors are the main influence on population growth rates in a country.’ With the aid of examples, to what extent do you agree with this statement? Population/Migration
See it on the paper → - 9696/22 · May/June 2023 · Q4b[8]
With the aid of examples, explain why infant mortality rates may decrease as a country develops.
See it on the paper → - 9696/21 · October/November 2022 · Q4b[8]
With the aid of examples, explain how the dependency ratio would be expected to change over time according to the demographic transition model (DTM).
See it on the paper → - 9696/22 · October/November 2022 · Q4c[15]
For your case study of one country’s population policy, assess the extent to which managing the results of population change is difficult. Population/Migration
See it on the paper → - 9696/23 · May/June 2022 · Q4c[15]
‘The main impact of a youthful population on a country is economic.’ With the aid of examples, how far do you agree with this statement? Population/Migration
See it on the paper → - 9696/21 · October/November 2021 · Q1c[5]
Explain how low rates of natural increase of population may be linked to high levels of development. Migration
See it on the paper → - 9696/22 · May/June 2021 · Q1c[4]
Explain why birth rates are falling in some HICs. Migration
See it on the paper → - 9696/23 · May/June 2021 · Q4c[15]
With the aid of examples, assess the extent to which the demographic transition model (DTM) is useful in predicting population growth in LICs/MICs. Migration/Settlement dynamics
See it on the paper → - 9696/23 · October/November 2020 · Q4a(i)[4]
Describe how the death rate changes over time in the demographic transition model (DTM).
See it on the paper → - 9696/23 · October/November 2020 · Q4a(ii)[3]
Suggest two reasons why the death rate falls before the birth rate falls in the DTM.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates could give some general reasons for infant mortality rates falling, but very few accessed Level 3 because of the poor use of examples. Many candidates were confused over where infant mortality overlaps with fertility rates and birth rates. For example, ‘There is more availability of contraception. This can lead to fewer children born and therefore lower infant mortality’. The ques...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9696/22 Q4(b) (Cambridge)
There were some good responses in which candidates related the changes in birth and death rates to the balance between working and non-working age groups, but most candidates gave very general answers, and few supported their answers with valid examples.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 9696/21 Q4(b) (Cambridge)
China’s one child policy was the almost universal response but all too often candidates focused on the details of the policy and the resulting problems. Few candidates really answered the question as to why it is so difficult to manage the results of population change. Stronger responses did have this focus on the difficulties, for example: ‘Managing population in China was difficult as many of...
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 9696/22 Q4(c) (Cambridge)
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