High infant mortality rates lead to high birth rates to ensure survival of children to look after parents (e.g. Mali, Afghanistan; Fig. 25.2). High birth rates contribute to increasing populations, causing pressure on resources.
Continuing decline in adult mortality rates due to improving healthcare has led to increased life expectancy. Impacts of this include:
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Fig. 25.22 Families in Mali tend to be very large.
financial problems for governments in areas such as elderly healthcare provision;
supporting and caring for older people becomes the responsibility of extended families and non-governmental organisations.
CHECK YOUR LEARNING
1. Explain the following three terms: infant mortality, child mortality, maternal mortality. 2. Name two reasons why infant mortality rates are high in developing countries. 3. List one impact of high infant mortality rates. 4. Name two impacts of increased life expectancy in developing countries.
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS ORDINARY LEVEL
Long Questions 1. Population Dynamics
Life expectancy at birth in 2015 (amended from www.hdr.undp.org) Country
Life Expectancy
Afghanistan 60 years Ireland Mali
Brazil Sudan
81 years 58 years 75 years 64 years
Examine the table above showing life expectancy at birth for selected countries in 2015 and answer each of the following questions.
(i) Using graph paper, draw a suitable graph to illustrate this data.
(ii) In your answer book, state two ways that life expectancy could be increased in countries such as Mali and Sudan.
436 2017, Part Two, Section 2, Q10A (30 marks)
Marking Scheme: (i) Graph paper = 3 marks
Vertical axis labelled/Circle = 3 marks graded (3/1/0)
Horizontal axis labelled/Centred = 3 marks graded (3/1/0)
Five items × 3 marks graded (3/1/0) = 15 marks. Subtotal 24 marks
(ii) Two valid statements × 3 marks each = 6 marks
