Population Trends
50 years ago the population of the UK was approximately 50 million people. Since then, the population has increased to more than 63 million people.
Businesses have to adapt to the changes in the population, and there have been some big, big changes. For example:
Businesses have to adapt to the changes in the population, and there have been some big, big changes. For example:
- Healthcare has improved so people are living longer.
- We are now part of the European Union, so many Eastern Europeans have come into our country from places like Poland and the Czech Republic.
- Contraceptives are more widely available, so not as many babies are born each year.
The Census
The population of the UK is worked out every 10 years. This is done by asking every house in the country to complete a Census, which is a massive form asking loads of questions, such as how many people live in your house, what age they are, what cars they drive, what jobs they do and who their favourite X-Factor contestant is. OK, I made that last one up!
Click HERE to see a real-life Census form.
Click HERE to see a real-life Census form.
So how does a business adapt to the population changes then? Well, they have to think about their products to make sure that they continue to get enough customers.
For example, because there are not as many young people being born, computer games companies have had to start bringing out games that are rated '18', so that adults buy them too. Mobile phone companies have had to bring out phones for old people with massive buttons on, and supermarkets have had to start stocking Eastern European products to cater for people that have moved to the UK.
For example, because there are not as many young people being born, computer games companies have had to start bringing out games that are rated '18', so that adults buy them too. Mobile phone companies have had to bring out phones for old people with massive buttons on, and supermarkets have had to start stocking Eastern European products to cater for people that have moved to the UK.