(a) Explain four ways in which a fall in birth rate can be beneficial to a country (b) What four problems can arise from a fall in the birth rate of a count...

(a) Four ways a fall in birth rate can be beneficial to a country

1. Reduced pressure on resources: fewer births ease the demand on food, land, water and housing.
2. Lower dependency burden: fewer children to be catered for allows more savings and investment in the economy.
3. Improved standard of living: national income is shared among fewer people, so income per head rises.
4. Less pressure on social services: fewer schools, hospitals and other facilities are needed, so existing ones serve the people better.
5. Reduced unemployment: a slower growing labour force is easier to absorb into available jobs.

(b) Four problems that can arise from a fall in birth rate

1. Ageing population: the proportion of old people rises while the number of young people falls.
2. Shortage of labour: a smaller working population reduces the supply of workers for farms, industries and services.
3. High old-age dependency: the working population must support a large number of retired and aged people.
4. Reduced market and slower economic growth: a shrinking population means a smaller home market for goods and services and a fall in national output; the country may also weaken in defence and manpower.

(c) Four ways the birth rate can be increased

1. Payment of family allowances and child benefits to encourage couples to have more children.
2. Grant of maternity leave, free maternal and child health care and other incentives to mothers.
3. Discouraging or restricting the use of family-planning and birth-control methods.
4. Encouraging early marriage and larger families through public campaigns, and reducing the cost of raising children (free education, tax relief).