Cambridge IGCSE Geography
Population structure
Case Study A country with high dependency – Italy Italy has a high dependent population Italy has more than 60 million residents, with a population density of 201/km2 (520/square mile) – one of the highest in Europe. One common fact in most Italian regions is
the high degree of dependency of the young and old on the working population, much of which is boosted by net migration into the country. Recent census data shows that Japan and most of Europe have the highest dependency ratios in the world and that Italy has one of the highest in Europe. In less economically developed countries, such as Afghanistan, the dependency is mostly from the 0–14 age group as few people live to 65 or over. As a country develops, this dependency becomes more balanced between young and old, as in the case of Italy.
Italy’s population structure Although low, the death rate remains higher than birth rate, averaging around 10 per 1000 population. Natural growth is negative but the population still increases due to immigration.
30
Working population narrow at bottom so will not replace the top as they retire. 40–49 is the widest age group for future work but they will have retired in 25 years or less. 4.5 million immigrants have helped boost these numbers over the age of 30 too but below that numbers are low.
Italy - 2013
Male
100+ 95–99 90–94 85–89 80–84 75–79 70–74 65–69 60–64 55–59 50–54 45–49 40–44 35–39 30–34 25–29 20–24 15–19 10–14 5–9 0–4
Old dependents 65+
Working population 15–64 Young dependents 0–14 3
Female
2.4 1.8 1.2 Population (in millions)
0.6
0 0 Age Group
Women slightly outnumber men as elderly dependants from 65+. This is common in most population pyramids.
0.6
1.2 1.8 2.4 3 Population (in millions)
Birth rate – average number of births per 1000 people per year
Year Number
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
9.0
8.9
8.7
8.5
8.4
8.2
8.0
9.2
9.0
8.9
Birth rate down to around 9 per 1000 population. The 0–14 age group is the narrowest on the pyramid. About 25% of women have no child and another 25% only have one child. Birth rate is higher among immigrants than Italians.
Death rate – average number of deaths per 1000 people per year
Year
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Number
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
9.8
9.9
10.1
Total population (2013): 61 482 297
TASK 1: Study Source a Estimate the following: ■ the number of young dependants aged 10–14 ■ the number of working population aged 60–64. b Comment on the differences between these figures when both age groups move into the age band above them. c Why is the population still increasing even though death rate is higher than birth rate? d Italy is a developed country. Suggest why death rates are low but birth rates are lower.
TASK 2: Study Source a What is meant by: ■ a young dependant? ■ an old dependant? ■ the working population? b What is different about the dependent age groups in these countries? c Which age structure is Italy the closest to? Explain your choice.