Give two documents from where information on population data is obtained

KCSE Geography Paper 2 2008 Section B Question 7.

a) i) Give two documents from where information on population data is obtained 

• National census report
• Text books
• Magazines
• Periodicals/Journals
• Statistical abstracts

ii) The pyramid below represents population structure Kenya.

​Describe the characteristics of the population as represented by the pyramid. 

• The number of male and female is almost equal to all ages.
• The dependency ratio is high
• The number of infants from age 0-4 is high/the population has a high birth rate.
• The middle age/working population is low
• The number of youth aged 5-19 is high 

​b) i) In 1989 Kenya population was 21.4 million while in 1999 it was 28.7 million. Calculate the population was 21.4 million. Calculate the population growth rate over the 10 year period. (Show your calculations) 

​ii) Explain two factors which may have led to the large population increase between 1989 and 1999. 

Early marriages.

• Many people in Kenya get married early and this allows them a longer period of fertility resulting in many children being born.

Improved medical care:

• This leads to higher chances of survival for both the mothers and infants as well as the general population, thus increasing the survival rates.

Improved Diet:

• This results into better health for the entire population hence reducing the mortality rate.

Cultural beliefs:

• Some cultures encourage large families due to the preference of one gender to other/some /some cultures/religions discourage the use of contraceptive/family planning leading to couples getting many children.

Migration:

• Due to political instability in neighboring countries e.g Sudan, Ethiopia there was an increase of refugees hence high population increase.

​c) Explain three consequences of high population growth rate.

• It leads to high dependency ration resulting into little savings by the working  group /low investments/low living standards
• There is likely to be a high unemployment rate since job opportunities may not increase at a rate that can cope with the increasing number of job seekers /may increase the rate of crime
• It increases demand for food which may lead to food shortage
• It increases demand for agricultural land causing land fragmentation/landlessness/destruction of forests.
• Expenditure while meeting demands for the large population reduces revenue that would be used for development of income generating projects hence slow economic growth.

d) Explain four physical factors that influence population distribution in East Africa. 

Climate:

• The cool and wet/hot & wet/high & reliable rainfall areas are densely populated because they are suitable for farming/hot dry areas have sparse population because they are unsuitable for farming

Relief:

• Mountains and hilly areas have low temperatures/are rugged and this discourages settlement/development of infrastructure/agricultural activities.
• Plains and gently sloping areas are usually densely populated because they are suitable for settlement and other economic activities.  Flat areas depression are sparsely populated because of poor drainage, which causes swampy conditions/flooding.

Soil:

• Fertile soils are suitable for agriculture thus attracting large population/areas that have poor soils have sparse population.

Pests and diseases:

• Areas that are infested with pests and disease-carrying vectors discourage settlement since the conditions are unhealthy 

Drainage: 

• Low-lying areas that are prone to periodic flooding and water logging have sparse population because they are unsuitable for agriculture and other economic activities/well drained areas attract settlement

Vegetation:

• Forested areas/savannah woodland have wild animals, disease vectors and discourage human settlement and other economic activities

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