Population change in Mexico

Mexico has a large youthful population (under 15s make up 31% of the population)

It's population is rapidly increasing and the birth rate was extremely high (7.1) but has lowered to 2.4

The average age in Mexico is 26

47% of Mexico's young people are now entering the childbearing age

Reasons for this:

• A low death rate- just 4.78 deaths per 1000. Due to childhood vaccinations, increase in doctors and efforts to reduce infant mortality
• Although the birth rate is falling, there is still a large percentage of young people.
• It is expected to take about 50 years before the pyramid shape structure for the population to change

This means, it requires a large amount of schools that need to be built, a lot of young people can't find work, there is a growing manufactoring industry making the economy grow and eventhough the country is strongly catholic abortion has been made legal

The One Child Policy

China's population grew incredibly throughout the 1950s and 60s. The birth rate reached 5.8 per 1000. This was extremely unsustainable due to the natural resources of food, water and energy. Those couples who only have one child receive financial rewards and welfare benefits however heavy fines are issued to those people that have more.

It has prevented births but also has some negative impacts in the form of not having enough workers and there being a serious inbalance of men to women. This is because it is more traditional to have boys since they are seen to look after the parents.

Sweden's population is ageing and decreasing

The government has introduced many schemes to encourage people to have more children

• Parental leave- 13 months at 80% of earned income
• Speed premium- an extra payment if there are less than 30 months between children
• Child benefit- 900 euros per child per year
• Sick child care- 120 paid days per child per year