A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

What demographic change results from fewer children being born in the UK?

1. An increase in the average age of the population

2. Higher birth rates among immigrants

3. A decrease in life expectancy

4. Increased fertility rates among younger women

The correct answer is: An increase in the average age of the population

An increase in the average age of the population as a result of fewer children being born in the UK is a direct consequence of demographic trends. When birth rates decline, the proportion of younger individuals in the population decreases. In the long term, this leads to a higher average age as the existing population ages without sufficient younger people being born to balance it out. This pattern is often observed in developed countries experiencing low fertility rates, where the ageing population can lead to various social and economic implications, such as potential labor shortages and increased demand for healthcare services tailored to older individuals. Other options, while related to demographic shifts, do not directly reflect the outcome of fewer births in the same way. For instance, higher birth rates among immigrants may contribute to population dynamics but do not specifically address the effect of lower birth rates on the average age. Similarly, a decrease in life expectancy and increased fertility rates among younger women do not logically follow from a general decline in births, emphasizing the uniqueness of the relationship between declining birth rates and an increasing median age in the population.