Geography Human Case Studies

BACKGROUND:

• China has the largest population - 1.3 billion.
• 'One-child policy' introuduced in 1979, couples encourages to have only one child.

PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED:

• High birth rate
• Overcrowing of citites
• unemployment growth from 1.8& yo 2.9%
• shortage of land, lack of access to water (1/4 of the world average)
• 1.9% increasing population per year.

STRATEGIES TO COPE:

• 2 child policy which didnt work so they introuduced 1 child policy
• Benefits, longer maternity leave
• better housing
• access to free education, child care and healthcare

EFFECTIVENESS:

• Population growth rate decreased to 0.7%
• fertility rate dropped from 5.7 in 1970 to 1.9
• Women forced to have abortion, many forcible sterilised
• Rurual couple want large families

BACKGROUND:

• 16% of the population of the UK was over 65. by 1041 this could be 25%
• Since 1970s, number of babies born has fallen

PROBLEMS:

• Working population isnt large enough to pay for pensions.
• Taxes paid by people aren't enough to cover the costs of pensions
• Health service is under pressure as older people need more medical care.
• Elderly may not be ablt to transport themselves, walk or drive.
• Elderly may be foreced to leave htier homes and go into old people homes or care workers.

STRATEGIES TO COPE:

• Government has increased retirement age
• Encourage immigration of young people to the UK - allowing immigration of people from countries that joined the EU in 2004. increasing number of people paying for taxes, helping to pay for pensions.

• Making the houses suitable for the elderly to feel comfortable - easy use taps, plug etc..
• Working for longer and delaying pension pay.
• Encourave voluntary work
• Privart bus sevices come and transport the elderly (diataride).

EFFECTIVENESS:

• Money for retired people brings in 215 billion a year to the economy
• Elderly do voluntary work, beneficial to the economy.
• Mor companies providing for the elderly