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AP Human Geography
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Table of Contents
Unit 2 Overview: Population and Migration Patterns and Processes
2.1 Population & Migration
2.2 Consequences of Population Distribution
2.3 Population Composition
2.4 Population Dynamics
2.5 The Demographic Transition Model
2.6 Malthusian Theory and Geography
2.7 Population Policies
2.8 Women and Demographic Change
2.9 Aging Populations
2.10 Push and Pull Factors in Migration
2.11 Forced vs. Voluntary Migration
2.12 Effects of Migration

🚜ap human geography review

2.9 Aging Populations

Verified for the 2025 AP Human Geography exam•Citation:

A greying population can be a sign of trouble:

A number of countries have a high percentage of people that are in or near retirement age (60 or older). This can happen for a number of reasons and have some serious consequences in those regions.

Source: Brockhouse Cooper, OECD

Countries that are in stages four and five of the demographic transition model have lower birth rates, but higher death rates than countries in stages two and three. Less people are in their childbearing years. These countries tend to have more women who are educated. For these reasons, the birth rates are lower. 

With better health care more people are living into their 70s and 80s, but this causes the death rate to rise, because of the large number of older people. When these countries are in stage five of the DTM, they have a negative natural increase rate, which means their populations are decreasing. 

Countries that are in stages four and five are more developed and therefore have long life expectancies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Political Consequences

There are political consequences because older people tend to vote more. They also are more concerned about health care issues, because it more directly affects them. With the older population voting more, the policies that the government puts in place would more likely apply to this age group.

Therefore, politicians need to garner support from older people, handle issues like health care more directly, and possibly even have more elderly in office. 

Social Consequences

There are also social consequences. Besides health care, things like housing for the older generations need to be addressed. Countries with older populations need to invest in retirement homes and have more people to help care for the elderly.  

Family compositions can change, too, as sons and daughters need to help pay for and/or care for their older parents. This can lead to severe economic consequences as well. The family structures can change as well, as older individuals will often live by themselves or in group homes.

Economic Consequences

Lastly, there are economic consequences. With more older people and lower birth rates, you have fewer people in the workforce. This can lead to lower production, which will lead to less money being made. That is doubly bad when you consider how many people will have to use part of that money to care for elderly family members. 

With the government spending more money on taking care of older people and healthcare, less money will be spent in other areas - education, technology, innovation, arts, etc. 

Social security and pension systems are also affected as there is more pressure put on them. This can lead to a lot of debates on the sustainability of these systems and the possible need for reform.

🎥 Watch: AP HUG - Population Pyramids

Key Terms to Review (12)

Birth Rates: Birth rates refer to the number of live births occurring in a population over a specific period, usually expressed per 1,000 individuals per year. These rates are crucial for understanding population growth, demographic changes, and the overall health of a society, influencing aspects like aging populations, migration patterns, and social policies.
Death Rates: Death rates refer to the number of deaths in a given population over a specific period, usually expressed per 1,000 people per year. This metric is essential for understanding population dynamics, as it can indicate the health of a population, the impact of diseases, and the effectiveness of healthcare systems. Variations in death rates can also reflect changes in demographics, such as aging populations, migration patterns, and overall societal conditions.
Demographic Transition Model: The Demographic Transition Model (DTM) is a theoretical framework that explains the transition of a country from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as part of economic development. It describes five stages, illustrating how populations change in terms of birth and death rates over time, impacting factors like aging populations, migration patterns, and regional analysis.
Greying Population: A greying population refers to a demographic trend where the proportion of older individuals in a population increases, typically due to longer life expectancies and declining birth rates. This phenomenon presents significant implications for social, economic, and health systems, as countries with greying populations face challenges in providing adequate healthcare, pensions, and social services for their aging citizens.
Health Care Issues: Health care issues refer to the various challenges and concerns related to the accessibility, quality, and affordability of health care services. These issues become particularly significant in the context of aging populations, where increased demand for medical services, long-term care, and chronic disease management can strain existing health care systems. Understanding these issues is essential as societies face the complexities of caring for older individuals who typically require more intensive medical attention.
Housing for Older Generations: Housing for Older Generations refers to specialized living arrangements designed to meet the unique needs of elderly individuals, including accessibility features, community support, and a focus on social engagement. This type of housing is increasingly important due to the rising number of aging populations, as it allows older adults to maintain independence while ensuring they have access to necessary services and social opportunities.
Life Expectancies: Life expectancies refer to the average number of years a person can expect to live based on current mortality rates. This measure is crucial in understanding population health and demographics, particularly in the context of aging populations, where increasing life expectancies can lead to a higher proportion of elderly individuals in society, affecting social services, healthcare systems, and economic productivity.
Natural Increase Rate: Natural Increase Rate (NIR) is the difference between the number of live births and the number of deaths in a given population over a specific period, typically expressed as a percentage. It reflects the growth or decline of a population independent of migration, playing a crucial role in understanding demographic trends and changes within societies.
Political Consequences: Political consequences refer to the effects and outcomes that demographic changes, such as aging populations, have on governance, policy-making, and the political landscape of a region or country. These consequences can shape the distribution of power, influence electoral dynamics, and necessitate reforms in social welfare and healthcare systems to address the needs of older citizens.
Retirement Homes: Retirement homes are residential facilities designed for older adults who are generally able to care for themselves but may require some assistance or prefer a community setting. These homes provide various services and amenities, catering to the social, recreational, and healthcare needs of aging populations, which is increasingly important as life expectancy rises and the proportion of elderly individuals in society grows.
Retirement Age: Retirement age is the age at which an individual is eligible to leave the workforce and receive pension benefits or social security. This age varies by country and can be influenced by various factors including government policy, economic conditions, and demographic trends. Understanding retirement age is crucial as it impacts workforce dynamics, economic stability, and the support systems needed for aging populations.
Social Consequences: Social consequences refer to the impacts that demographic changes have on the fabric of society, including shifts in family structures, social interactions, and community dynamics. In the context of aging populations, these consequences can manifest in various ways, such as increased caregiving demands, changes in workforce participation, and evolving social support systems that reflect the needs of an older demographic.
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2.10 Push and Pull Factors in Migration