Outline what is meant by “fertility rate”.

Suggest two reasons why fertility rates decline when the status of women is improved.

Reason 1:

Reason 2:

Explain why some places have an uneven sex ratio as a result of migration.

Explain why some places have an uneven sex ratio as a result of an ageing society.

The number of children/number of births per 1000 women [1] a woman gives birth to during her lifetime/fertile years/reproductive age/below 50 [1].

In each case, award [1] for a valid reason and [1] for development of how it impacts upon the fertility rate.

Possibilities include:

• Employment – delayed marriage and delayed childbirth.
• Access to family planning services.
• Education for women – delays marriage/childbirth.
• Reduced child mortality rates – fewer replacement births.
• Societal status of women – women have more freedom and rights, thus giving them more decision-making powers.

For example: One reason is because women have more access to contraception and birth control advice [1] which means they have more control over the number of children in their families [1].

Answers may refer to source or destination places and can be based on international/regional/rural:urban migration.

Award [1] for a basic explanatory comment and [1] for further valid explanation/exemplification linked to a valid and identified uneven sex ratio.

Valid reasons may include:

• Migration of males to find work gives higher proportion of males in working in destination countries/gives lower proportion of males in origin countries.
• Inability of male labourers to bring families with them gives higher proportion of males.
• Migration of female domestic and care labour e.g. Sri Lanka leaves a gap in the middle age female groups.
• Migration of males of fighting age to join armies, leaves places with a higher proportion of young females.

For example: Influx of male construction workers into an oil rich nation such as UAE [1] so there tends to be a larger proportion of men than women [1].

Award [1] for a basic explanatory comment and [1] for further explanation/exemplification linked to a valid and identified uneven sex ratio.

Valid reasons may include:

• Macho culture encourages risky behaviour meaning higher mortality as the population ages.
• Males occupy dangerous jobs that lead to a higher mortality leaving a smaller proportion of males in older age groups.
• Child mortality is higher amongst boys, more females survive until old age.
• Biological difference in chromosomes and hormones, females are advantaged [less fat surrounding organs] and live longer.
• Females more willing to consult medical advice, live longer.

For example: Women tend to have higher life expectancies than men [1], so in the over 65s there tends to be a greater proportion of women than men [1].

Many candidates identified both elements of the definition and referred to the number of births per woman and an appropriate time period such as fertile years or in her lifetime. Some missed out on the second mark by only referring to the number of births. Unfortunately, there were a number of answers that displayed confusion between the meanings of fertility rate and birth rate. Candidates need to display an understanding of the terminologies used in the guide

In general, this was well answered, and candidates had a good grasp of the improvement of the status of women with reference to education, employment and family planning being the most frequent reasons identified. The development points were often well made and explained why the selected reasons caused the reduction of fertility rates. Fewer responses commented on the wider points of the societal status of women. Some candidates commented on reasons for decline in fertility rates but failed to relate them to the improved status of women. Reasons such as wealthier populations and changes in the influence of religion may be valid but they do not answer the question set.

Many candidates recognized the need to comment on the gender imbalance of many migration patterns most commonly citing male dominated international and internal economic migrations. Some referred to the gender imbalances caused by conflict. However, a significant number did not explain and describe how this resulted in an uneven sex ratio merely repeating the question. It is important that candidates heed the requirements of the question.

This question was well answered. Most candidates were able to explain a reason for female longevity with behaviour, occupation and biological differences being the most popular choices. The majority of correct answers went on to describe and explain how this led to an uneven sex ratio. Some candidates were confused and explained the causes of ageing societies, commonly with reference to China and the impacts of the one child policy.