Figure 1: Population pyramid for Dominica, 2018
Source: https://www.populationpyramid.net/dominican-republic/2018/
Figure 2: Population statistics for Dominica, 2017
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth rate | 15.1 per 1000 |
| Death rate | 7.9 per 1000 |
| Net migration rate | -5.4 per 1000 |
| Median age | 33.5 years |
| Urban population | 70.5% |
| Total fertility rate | 2.03 children per woman |
After the hurricane, thousands of men and women left Dominica in search of work. With reference to Figure 1, draw a post-hurricane age–gender pyramid for Dominica to illustrate this outward migration.
Note: (see sketch)
Award
concave sides in the working age groups;
may have greater outward migration in the male working age side;
may have slight reduction in youngest group to show reduction in birth rates due to loss of fertile adults;
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, suggest how population change may impact resource use on Dominica in the future.
Award
- population is stabilizing/growth rate is slowing, so there will be little additional demand for resources;
- population will begin to age so demand for resources will decrease due to fewer children;
- birth rates are still high in comparison to death rates so the population is still growing, putting pressure on resources;
- stabilizing population will lead to greater prosperity and therefore greater demand for resources;
- outward migration means less demand for resources;
development of tourist industry/temporary immigration causes increase in use of some resources, eg water, land for hotels;
Note: Do not credit only ‘increase in population results in an increase in resource use / decrease in population reduces resource use’.
