Year 7 - Geography
Population challenges: overpopulation and underpopulation
Population: where do people live?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit teaches pupils about the changing size and distribution of the world's population and how these can be affected by factors such as migration. Through examining a range of examples, pupils will develop an understanding of how countries react to different population challenges.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe overpopulation and underpopulation and responses different countries take to these challenges.
Key Notes
- Overpopulation is where there are not enough resources to meet the needs of the population.
- China's population grew rapdily in the twentieth century, resulting in the One Child Policy.
- Underpopulation is where there are not enough people for the resources available.
- The Australian government felt the country was underpopulated after WWII and encouraged people to live there.
Vocabulary To Learn
- population distribution: describes how the people in that population are spread out across the area
- resource: anything that can be used for a human need
- migration: moving from one place to another with the intention of staying there
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Overpopulation and underpopulation are only about the number of people in a country.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.
Overpopulation is where there are not enough resources to meet the needs of the population. China's population grew rapdily in the twentieth century, resulting in the One Child Policy.
2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'population distribution'
describes how the people in that population are spread out across the area.
3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.
Mistake: Overpopulation and underpopulation are only about the number of people in a country. Correction: It's not just about numbers—it's about how well a country's resources match the needs of its population.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Diversity and change in the local area Study Guide
- GIS: Analysing the distribution of the world's population Study Guide
- GIS: Analysing the population of the UK Study Guide
- Migration around the world Study Guide
- Migration in the UK Study Guide
- Our global population Study Guide
- Population challenges: ageing populations Study Guide
- Population density Study Guide
- Population structure Study Guide
- The future of the world's population Study Guide
- The population of the UK Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 7 Geography guide library.