Human Population Grows Up Reading Answers

Sep 17, 2025

Human Population Grows Up Reading Answers contains 14 questions and belongs to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. Human Population Grows Up Reading Answers must be answered within 20 minutes. In this IELTS reading section, question types include: Write the correct letter and Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.

Human Population Grows Up Reading Answers offers a comprehensive overview of the global population growth, which is shifting from sheer numbers to structural changes like ageing, youthful populations, and urbanisation, creating both challenges and opportunities for societies worldwide. To practice similar reading tests, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Topic:

A.The global human population has experienced unprecedented growth in the past century. From just 1.6 billion in 1900, the number skyrocketed to over 8 billion by 2025. While this rapid increase has raised concerns over resource depletion and environmental damage, demographers argue that the most significant changes ahead will not be about numbers—but about age.

B.Population ageing is a global phenomenon. As fertility rates decline and life expectancy increases, many countries are witnessing a shift in age structure. Nations once dominated by youth are seeing swelling ranks of the elderly. In Japan, nearly 30% of the population is over 65, and similar trends are visible across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia and Latin America. This shift presents both opportunities and challenges for governments, economies, and societies.

C.One of the most pressing concerns of an ageing population is its impact on the workforce. Fewer young people entering the labour market could lead to shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Some nations have begun to respond by raising the retirement age and encouraging older adults to remain in or re-enter the workforce. Others are investing in automation and artificial intelligence to offset the labour gap.

D.At the same time, ageing populations bring about growing healthcare demands. Older individuals typically require more medical care and long-term support. This strain on healthcare systems can be seen in countries like Italy and Germany, where hospitals and care homes are under pressure. However, the “silver economy”—a market focused on the needs of older consumers—is also growing rapidly, offering economic opportunities in sectors like healthcare technology, home modification, and senior travel.

E.Interestingly, not all population growth is slowing. Many parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia still have high fertility rates and youthful populations. These regions face a different set of challenges, such as unemployment, undereducation, and political instability. Yet, with proper investment in education, infrastructure, and governance, these youthful populations could become engines of future growth.

F.Urbanisation is another dimension of population growth. More people than ever are living in cities, with over 56% of the global population now urban. This trend is expected to continue, especially in developing countries. While cities can provide better access to jobs, healthcare, and education, they can also become overcrowded, polluted, and unequal without sustainable planning.

G.In sum, the global population is not just growing—it is maturing. As different regions grapple with ageing, youth bulges, or urbanisation, the concept of population growth is evolving. Policymakers must shift from focusing solely on numbers to addressing the quality and structure of population dynamics. Understanding this complexity is vital to preparing for the future.

Questions 27-33

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A-G.

27. A description of how city living may lead to social issues

Answer: F

Supporting statement: "While cities can provide better access to jobs, healthcare, and education, they can also become overcrowded, polluted, and unequal without sustainable planning."

Keywords: overcrowded, polluted, unequal, city living

Keyword Location: Paragraph F, line 3

Explanation: Paragraph F highlights the negative social outcomes of urbanisation, such as overcrowding and inequality.

28. Details about growing business opportunities related to ageing

Answer: D

Supporting statement: "However, the 'silver economy'—a market focused on the needs of older consumers—is also growing rapidly…"

Keywords: silver economy, older consumers, economic opportunities

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, line 4

Explanation: This refers to the expanding business opportunities in industries that serve elderly populations.

29. A statistic about Japan's ageing population

Answer: B

Supporting statement: "In Japan, nearly 30% of the population is over 65…"

Keywords: Japan, 30%, ageing population

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, line 3

Explanation: Japan’s population statistics are given to illustrate the extent of ageing trends worldwide.

30. How young populations can benefit from investments

Answer: E

Supporting statement: "Yet, with proper investment in education, infrastructure, and governance, these youthful populations could become engines of future growth."

Keywords: investment, youthful populations, future growth

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, line 4

Explanation: Young populations, if educated and supported, can drive economic progress.

31. A major concern for employers in countries with fewer young workers

Answer: C

Supporting statement: "Fewer young people entering the labour market could lead to shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing."

Keywords: fewer young workers, labour shortages, employers

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, line 2

Explanation: The concern here is that ageing societies have fewer young workers, creating challenges for employers.

32. A shift in how population growth is understood

Answer: G

Supporting statement: "In sum, the global population is not just growing—it is maturing."

Keywords: maturing, evolving, shift in understanding

Keyword Location: Paragraph G, line 1

Explanation: The text highlights how population growth is now viewed in terms of age structure, not only numbers.

33. The reason why hospitals may struggle in older societies

Answer: D

Supporting statement: "This strain on healthcare systems can be seen in countries like Italy and Germany, where hospitals and care homes are under pressure."

Keywords: hospitals, pressure, ageing societies

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, line 3

Explanation: The ageing population increases healthcare demands, burdening hospitals.

Questions 34-40

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

The world population has passed 8 billion and is now experiencing a dramatic shift in (34)..............

Answer: age structure

Supporting statement: "…the most significant changes ahead will not be about numbers—but about age."

Keywords: age, structure, shift

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, line 3

Explanation: The shift is about the age distribution of populations rather than just size.

rather than just size. Many countries, especially in Europe and Asia, have a growing number of elderly due to lower birth rates and longer (35)...........................

Answer: life expectancy

Supporting statement: "As fertility rates decline and life expectancy increases…"

Keywords: life expectancy, longer lives

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, line 2

Explanation: Longer life expectancy contributes to ageing societies.

To address labour shortages, some governments are raising the (36).....................

Answer: retirement age

Supporting statement: "Some nations have begun to respond by raising the retirement age…"

Keywords: retirement age, labour shortages

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, line 3

Explanation: Increasing retirement age helps maintain workforce numbers.

or using technology to replace human workers. Ageing also increases demand for (37)....................

Answer: medical care

Supporting statement: "Older individuals typically require more medical care and long-term support."

Keywords: medical care, demand, ageing

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, line 1

Explanation: Ageing populations need more healthcare services.

putting pressure on public systems. At the same time, regions with high fertility, such as parts of Africa, deal with problems like poor (38).......................

Answer: education

Supporting statement: "These regions face a different set of challenges, such as unemployment, undereducation, and political instability."

Keywords: undereducation, youthful populations

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, line 2

Explanation: Lack of quality education is a key challenge in youthful regions.

And unstable politics. The trend of (39)........................

Answer: urbanisation

Supporting statement: "Urbanisation is another dimension of population growth."

Keywords: urbanisation, cities

Keyword Location: Paragraph F, line 1

Explanation: Urbanisation transforms societies, offering opportunities and risks.

is also transforming societies, offering benefits but also creating risks such as overcrowding. Policymakers need to focus not just on population numbers but on the (40)............... of population change.

Answer: quality

Supporting statement: "Policymakers must shift from focusing solely on numbers to addressing the quality and structure of population dynamics."

Keywords: quality, structure, population change

Keyword Location: Paragraph G, line 3

Explanation: The focus is now on the quality and structure of population changes, not just numbers.

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