One feature of a growing population

Analyze the question: The question asks for a feature of a growing population, meaning a population whose size is increasing, usually because birth rates are higher than death rates.

Explain the concept: Population structure is often shown in an age pyramid. A growing (expanding) population has:

• High birth rate, so many children and young people. The pyramid has a wide base.
• Falling or relatively high death rates, but still a smaller proportion of old people.
• A high dependency ratio, because many young people depend on the working-age population.

Evaluate each option:

• A. Increase in the number of young people. Correct. High birth rates add many children and young people, so this is the typical feature of a growing population.
• B. Increase in the number of old people. This is a feature of an ageing population, usually in developed countries with low birth rates and long life expectancy. It does not characterise a growing population.
• C. Decrease in the dependent population. Wrong. A growing population usually has more dependents (children), not fewer.
• D. Decrease in life expectancy. Wrong. Growth is usually supported by improved health care, which raises life expectancy rather than lowering it.

Answer: The correct option is A.

Tip: Link "growing population" with "wide base pyramid", meaning many young people and a high dependency ratio. Link "ageing population" with "more old people and low birth rate". WASSCE often tests this contrast.