Key Terms: Global population futures (AQA A Level Geography): Revision Note

Health and environmental change - key terms

Cataracts – Clouding of the eye’s lens that can lead to blindness, often linked to increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) – Chemicals once used in refrigeration and aerosols, now banned in many countries due to their role in ozone layer depletion.

Climate change and health – Refers to the wide-ranging health impacts of global warming, including heat stress, disease spread, respiratory issues, and mental health effects.

Montreal Protocol – A major international agreement (1987) that successfully reduced the use of ozone-depleting substances.

Ozone depletion – The thinning of the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, increasing UV radiation exposure and related health issues.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) – Harmful solar radiation that can damage skin and eyes, regulated naturally by the ozone layer.

Vector-borne disease – Diseases such as malaria or dengue fever spread by insects like mosquitoes; their distribution is affected by climate change.

Future prospects - key terms

Ageing population – A demographic pattern where a growing proportion of people are aged 60 or above, increasing pressure on healthcare and pension systems.

Demographic dividend – The economic growth potential when a country has a relatively large working-age population and fewer dependents.

Dependency ratio – A measurement of the number of dependents (children and the elderly) supported by the working-age population.

Fertility rate – The average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime; lower rates are associated with development and education.

Future population distribution – Projected changes in global population growth, with rapid increases in Africa, stabilisation in Asia, and decline in parts of Europe.

Immigration policy – Government strategies designed to manage population growth, economic needs, and demographic challenges through the regulation of migration.

Life expectancy – The average number of years a person is expected to live, continuing to rise due to medical and technological advances.

Pro-natalist policy – Government incentives to encourage higher birth rates, such as financial support or parental leave.

Sustainable development – Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, balancing population growth with resource use.

UN population projections – Forecasts that suggest the global population could peak at over 10 billion later this century, with regional variations.