Social Studies Questions and Best Answers for BECE on Population

Social Studies Questions and Best Answers for BECE on Population for BECE candidates. We encourage candidates to read through these well-explained answers.
- What is meant by the term population
Population refers to the number of people living in a specific geographic area at a specific time. This means that, population is the head count of the people in a particular area at given time. Population of a country is estimated usually
ten years. It is done in a process called population census. The estimated population of Ghana in 1997 was about 18 million. In the year 2000, the population was 18.4 million.
- What are the factors responsible for population growth? The factors responsible for population growth are below.
Firstly, birth rate influences population growth. The number of births per thousand of the population can cause population to growth in either a negative or positive rate. As the number birth per thousand of the population increases due to better health care services. As a result, more new birth will be added to the existing population leading to increase in the population of the country. Also, as the number per thousand of the population decrease due to poor health services, there will be a decrease in the population the country. It is a fact that, birth rate influences population growth.
In addition, death rate influences population growth. The number of death per thousand of the population can cause the population of a country to increase or decrease. As the number of deaths per thousand of the population increases, the population will decrease for things being equal.
Also, as the number of deaths per thousand of the population decreases, there will be an increase in the population of that country.
High death rate may come as a result of poor health care systems, natural disaster, outbreak of diseases and many more.
Besides, low death rate may be attributed to good health systems, absence of natural disasters and many more. It is clear to note that, death rate influences population of a country. Moreover, migration can influence the population of a country.
The movement of people from and into the country may influence the population of the country. As more people move into the country than leaving, the population of the country will increase. This is so because the immigrants will add to the existing population.
Again, as more people move out of the country than coming in, the population the country will decrease.
These emigrants will take away from the existing population of the country. It is therefore clear that migration influence population growth. Finally, a factor responsible for population growth is fertility rate.
The ability for the people especially women to give birth in a country may increase or decrease the population that country. In the case where women are liable to give birth to more children in the country, the population of that country will increase.
This is so because, more children will be given birth to be added to the existing population leading to increase in the population of that country. Also, as the number of people especially women are not capable to give birth to more children in the country, the population of that country will decrease in that, the number of children adding to the existing population will be less. It therefore a fact that, fertility rate affect the population of a country.
In conclusion, birth rate, death rate , migration and fertility rate affect the population of a country.
Social Studies Questions and Best Answers for BECE on Population -Second question for candidates which comes with the suggested answers
- Explain the effects of high population growth
The effects of high population growth are below.
Firstly, high population growth leads to pressure on social amenities. Increase in a country’s population may put pressure on the social amenities in the country. As more people are added to the existing population, the usage of the social amenities such as electricity, hospital, water and the likes will increase. As a result, there will be damage of such facilities. In effect, the government will have to get more revenue to augment the existing facilities. It is a fact that, population growth put pressure on social amenities in the country.
In addition, high rate of unemployment is an effect of high population growth. Most people in the country will be jobless when population of the country increases. As more and more people are added to the population, the number of youths who will be ready for employment will be more than the available job opportunities in the country. As a result, the youths cannot get money to take care of themselves. Consequently, the unemployed youths will become dependent on their families. This may increase poverty levels of people in the country. We can conclude that; high rate of unemployment is an affect of high population growth.
Again, depletion of natural resources is an effect of high population growth. The natural resources of the country may be destroyed and over-exploited due to increase in population. As the population of the country increases, more money may be needed to meet the growing demand for financial resources to help the country. As a result, the country will over-exploit the resources. In effect, the land will be degraded leading to natural disasters and the spread of diseases. We can say for a fact that, high population growth leads to depletion of the natural resources of the country.
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Finally, high population leads to an increase in crime waves. Many people engage in criminal activities as the population of the country increases. A rise in population may lead to a lot of joblessness in the country. These unemployed people will stick to various bad activities to earn a living. For instance, many young girls engage in prostitution to be able to meet their financial obligations. Also, some engage in an armed robbery to earn a living. As a result, there will be an increase in in crimes in the country. Consequently, the youths of the country may be imprisoned leading a fall of active labour force of the country.
In conclusion, the effects of high population rate are; pressure on social amenities, high rate of unemployment, depletion of the country’s resources, and an increase in crime waves.
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Social Studies Questions and Best Answers for BECE on Population with answers
Question 11
- What is population growth
Population growth is the rate of change of the number of people living in a particular geographical area a given time. Population is usually measured in percentage. The rate which the population of a country changes can be positive or negative. A positive population growth entails the change which brings about increase in the population. Also, a negative population growth rate brings about a decrease in the population.
ATTEMPT THE FOLLOWING Social Studies Questions on Population. Note that the Answers must be essays and sentences
- In what ways can the high population growth of Ghana be controlled Question 12
- What is rural-urban drift/migration
- Outline the causes of rural-urban migration
The cause of rural urban drift are below
Firstly, lack of jobs in the villages causes rural-urban drift
- What are the effects of rural –urban migration
- On the cities
- On the villages
- In what ways can rural –urban migration be controlled?