What happens in Stage 2 of the Demographic Transition Model?
Death rates fall rapidly (due to better food, sanitation and medicine) while birth rates remain high, causing rapid population growth. Learn it step by step →
The Changing Economic World is a core part of GCSE Geography. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.
Key concepts
DTMDemographic Transition Model with 5 stages of birth/death rates.
Rostow model5 stages from traditional society to high mass consumption.
Ageing UKOver 18% of the UK population are aged 65 or over.
TNCTransnational Corporation operating in multiple countries.
Multiplier effectNew jobs create demand for services, creating more jobs.
Post-industrialUK economy now dominated by tertiary and quaternary sectors. 🏙
NigeriaWest African NEE; largest population in Africa over 220 million.
Oil exportsCrude oil contributes around 90% of export earnings.
Industrial growthManufacturing (e.g. food processing, cement) has grown alongside services such as the Nollywood film industry.
Shell in NigeriaMajor TNC operating in the Niger Delta since the 1950s.
NollywoodNigeria's film industry, one of the world's largest by output.
Aid and tradeNigeria receives aid but trade dominates its development. 🛢
HICHigh Income Country with GNI per capita above ~$13,845 (World Bank).
NEENewly Emerging Economy, e.g. India, Brazil, Nigeria, China.
What your exam board covers
Where The Changing Economic World sits in each exam board's specification. Tap a board to see what it lists.
AQAThe changing economic worldSpec 8035
Part of: Challenges in the human environment (Paper 2)
Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:
What happens in Stage 2 of the Demographic Transition Model?✗ Birth rates rise rapidly because people want larger families.✓ Death rates fall rapidly (due to better food, sanitation and medicine) while birth rates remain high, causing rapid population growth.
Why do TNCs locate production in LICs?✗ Because TNCs want to develop poorer countries and lift them out of poverty.✓ Lower labour costs, weaker regulation, access to raw materials, large potential markets, and government incentives like tax breaks in special economic zones.
What does sustainable development mean?✗ Sustainable development means stopping all economic growth.✓ Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs — balancing economic, social and environmental goals.
What does 'development' mean?✗ Only having more money (GDP).✓ Improvements in wealth, health, education and quality of life.
Why do some countries develop faster than others?✗ Only luck decides development.✓ Many factors: trade, history, resources, conflict, climate and governance.
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