Human population — IGCSE Environmental Management (0680) questions by topic
Reading a population pyramid shape for a less economically developed country, calculating population density on a densely settled island, working out a percentage change in global migrant numbers, and stating the year world population reaches a projected total are the recurring data tasks in this topic, worth 2 to 33 marks across 23 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers.
Suggest, state, calculate, describe and explain top the command words, and calculate expects a numerical answer built from the exact figures given, with units and rounding stated as instructed. Because these questions mix reading data off graphs with explaining the reasons behind a trend, submitting a full response for instant marking quickly shows whether both the correct figure and a properly qualified reason were given.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is explaining why males die earlier rather than stating that females live longer, leaving more females in the oldest age group.
- Examiners note migration-trend answers that describe the graph point by point instead of identifying the overall fluctuating or increasing trend.
- Reports flag calculated answers such as 0.696 given without stating the units were millions.
- A common error was describing rainfall as simply 'high' or 'adequate' without qualifying the claim with data from the source.
- Strong answers multiplied the given figures correctly and stated the units, or showed working for partial credit, and supported climate descriptions by quoting the specific data given.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
The diagram shows Earth overshoot day from 1971 to 2023. Earth overshoot day is the day when scientists predict that people use up all the resources that the Earth's ecosystems…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 21
Determine the length of the Faroe Islands between the crosses labelled A and B. A map of the Faroe Islands is provided, with a cross labelled A near the top (north) and a cross…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 22
Ischia is a densely populated island. Calculate the number of people per km^2 on Ischia. Give your answer to the nearest whole number.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 23
The map shows the Faroe Islands, with a cross labelled A near the north of the islands and a cross labelled B near the south, a north arrow, and a scale bar (0-15 km). Determine…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
The map shows the percentage increase in population by country between 1950 and 2021 (key: more than 1000%, 250–1000%, 100–249%, 0–99%, less than 0%), with the Tropic of Cancer,…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 21
State one fact from the source information that indicates New Zealand is a more economically developed country (MEDC).
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 22
Calculate the population density in Uzbekistan in 2021. (Population 31 million; area 447 400 km².)
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 23
State one fact from the source information that indicates New Zealand is a more economically developed country (MEDC).
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
Approximately half of the world's population are at risk of getting malaria. Tick (✓) the correct box (true or false) for each statement about malaria: Statement true false ---…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
The graph shows world population growth since 1800 and estimated between 2024 and 2100 (y-axis 'population / billion' 0-12). Labelled points: 1800 about 1 billion, 1930 about 2,…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 21
Calculate the number of people who lived in Istanbul in 2022. (Istanbul has 20% of the population of 83.0 million.) Give your answer in million.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 23
The populations of the five largest cities in Chile in 2022 are shown in the table: Santiago 7 200 000; Valparaíso 979 000; Concepción 945 000; La Serena 412 000; Antofagasta 390…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
Malaria is caused by a parasite. Explain how a human becomes infected with malaria.
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a population pyramid for a less economically developed country (LEDC). It plots percentage of population (male on the left, female on the right) by age group…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
The map shows countries where people are at risk of malaria (key: 'no malaria' and 'malaria risk'), with the Tropic of Cancer, Equator and Tropic of Capricorn marked. Describe the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
Malaria is caused by a parasite. Explain how a human becomes infected with malaria.
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a population pyramid for a less economically developed country (LEDC). It plots percentage of population (male on the left, female on the right) by age group…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 21
Calculate the number of people living in rural areas in 2021. (Population 5.8 million; 88% live in urban areas.)
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 22
The diagram shows the population pyramid for Laos in 2021 (age ranges 0–4 up to 100+, male on the left and female on the right, x-axis percentage of population 6 to 0 to 6).…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 23
Calculate the number of people living in rural areas in 2021. (Population 5.8 million; 88% live in urban areas.)
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
The graph shows predicted world population from 2020 to 2100 (total world population and breakdown by age groups 0–4, 5–14, 15–24, 25–64, 65+). State the year in which the total…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
People migrate for many reasons. The bar chart shows the number of global migrants from 1995 to 2020 (number of global migrants / million, axis from 150). The value in 1995 is 175…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 23
Calculate the number of people living in urban areas in Zimbabwe in 2021. (Population 15.1 million; 33% live in urban areas.)
Answer this question and get it marked →