You are viewing a free preview of this lesson.
Subscribe to unlock all 10 lessons in this course and every other course on LearningBro.
Demography is the study of population — its size, structure, and distribution. Demographic changes have profound effects on family structure, the welfare state, and social policy. For AQA A-Level Sociology (7192), you need to understand the key demographic trends in the UK, the reasons for these changes, and their impact on the family.
Before examining trends, it is essential to understand the key concepts:
| Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| Birth rate | The number of live births per 1,000 of the population per year |
| Death rate | The number of deaths per 1,000 of the population per year |
| Fertility rate | The average number of children born to a woman during her lifetime. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is the most commonly used measure |
| Infant mortality rate (IMR) | The number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births per year |
| Life expectancy | The average number of years a person can expect to live from birth |
| Natural change | The difference between the birth rate and the death rate. If births exceed deaths, the population grows through natural change |
| Net migration | The difference between immigration (people entering the country) and emigration (people leaving). Positive net migration means more people are arriving than leaving |
| Dependency ratio | The ratio of the dependent population (children under 16 and adults over 65) to the working-age population (16–64). A high dependency ratio means a greater burden on the working-age population |
| Ageing population | An increase in the proportion of the population aged 65 and over |
The birth rate in the UK has fallen dramatically over the past 150 years:
| Period | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR | Key Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | ~29 | ~3.5 | High birth rate; large families; high infant mortality |
| 1920s | ~20 | ~2.4 | Post-WWI decline; beginning of family planning |
| 1947 | ~21 (baby boom) | ~2.7 | Post-WWII baby boom |
| 1964 | ~19 (second baby boom) | ~2.9 | Baby boomers having children; optimistic economic climate |
| 1977 | ~12 | ~1.7 | Lowest recorded birth rate at the time; contraceptive pill widely available |
| 2012 | ~13 | ~1.9 | Slight increase, partly due to immigration |
| 2020s | ~10 | ~1.6 | Below replacement level (2.1); continued decline |
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Changing position of women | Women's increased access to education and employment means they are having fewer children and having them later. Career opportunities compete with motherhood |
| Contraception | The contraceptive pill (available from 1961) and other forms of reliable contraception give women control over their fertility. The Abortion Act (1967) also gave women greater reproductive choice |
| Declining infant mortality | As more children survive infancy, parents no longer need to have large numbers of children to ensure that some survive. There is less "insurance" motivation |
| Changing values | In a more individualistic, consumer-oriented society, children are seen as a cost (financial, time, career) rather than an economic asset. Beck (1992) argued that in the "risk society," people are more cautious about having children |
| Child-centredness | The shift towards intensive, child-centred parenting means that raising each child requires more time, energy, and money — encouraging smaller families |
| Economic factors | The cost of housing, childcare, and education has risen sharply, making large families less financially viable |
The death rate in the UK has fallen dramatically:
| Period | Death Rate (per 1,000) | Life Expectancy at Birth | Key Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | ~19 | ~47 (men), ~50 (women) | High death rates from infectious disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition |
| 1950 | ~12 | ~66 (men), ~71 (women) | NHS established (1948); antibiotics; improved public health |
| 2000 | ~10 | ~75 (men), ~80 (women) | Continued medical advances; healthier lifestyles |
| 2020s | ~9 | ~79 (men), ~83 (women) | High life expectancy but slowing improvement |
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Medical advances | Vaccinations, antibiotics, surgery, and treatments for heart disease, cancer, and other conditions have dramatically reduced mortality |
| Improved public health | Clean water, sewage systems, food hygiene regulations, and housing standards have reduced deaths from infectious disease |
| The NHS (1948) | Free healthcare at the point of use ensures that people receive treatment regardless of income |
| Better nutrition | Improved diet — more protein, vitamins, fresh food — has strengthened immune systems and reduced malnutrition-related deaths |
| Healthier lifestyles | Declining smoking rates, greater awareness of diet and exercise, health and safety legislation in workplaces |
| Decline of dangerous occupations | The shift from manual, industrial labour to service-sector work has reduced workplace injuries and occupational diseases |
The infant mortality rate (IMR) has fallen dramatically in the UK — from over 150 per 1,000 live births in 1900 to around 4 per 1,000 today.
Lower infant mortality has a profound effect on family life:
Subscribe to continue reading
Get full access to this lesson and all 10 lessons in this course.