New
New
Year 8

Population in cities

I can explain who lives in cities and why.

New
New
Year 8

Population in cities

I can explain who lives in cities and why.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Urban populations often have a larger share of people aged 18–40.
  2. Migration to cities is driven by employment and educational opportunities.
  3. Cities provide a wide range of leisure facilties which are also a draw for younger people.
  4. Natural increase is a key factor in the growth of urban populations.
  5. High population density puts pressure on infrastructure and services.

Keywords

  • Migration - the movement of people from one place to another

  • Natural increase - when birth rates are higher than death rates

  • Population density - the number of people living in a defined area, e.g. 300 people per square kilometre

Common misconception

Cities only grow because of migration.

While migration is a key factor, natural increase (more births than deaths) is often just as important - especially in cities with young populations.


To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: Population in cities, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use real-life city examples (like London, Manchester, or Lagos) to illustrate why people move to cities and how different age groups use urban spaces. This helps students connect abstract ideas (like migration or population density) to places they know or have heard of.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these describes a city with high population density?

People live very far apart
Fewer people live in a large space
Correct answer: Many people live close together in a small space
People live in rural areas

Q2.
Which of these is usually a challenge for people living in cities?

Correct answer: Traffic congestion
Quick access to hospitals
Too many trees
Low population

Q3.
Urban areas are often known for their high levels of density.

Correct Answer: population

Q4.
Which of the following is a benefit of living in a city?

More green countryside
Fewer job opportunities
Correct answer: Greater access to services and amenities
More frequent power cuts

Q5.
A student says, “Life in all cities is the same.” What is a better understanding?

All cities are equal in every way
Correct answer: Cities differ depending on size, development, and planning
Cities only vary by population
Cities only vary by language

Q6.
Which of these is a feature found in most modern cities?

Correct answer: Skyscrapers and business districts
Few schools
Strong rural traditions
Only farms

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions:

Correct Answer:Migration,The movement of people from one place to another

The movement of people from one place to another

Correct Answer:Natural increase,When more people are born than die, so the population grows

When more people are born than die, so the population grows

Correct Answer:Population density,The number of people living per square kilometre

The number of people living per square kilometre

Q2.
Which of the following best explains why a city might grow in population?

Correct answer: Migration and natural increase
Fewer people are born
Everyone leaves rural areas
Death rates increase

Q3.
A student says: “Cities only grow because people migrate to them.” What’s a more complete understanding?

Cities also shrink often
Cities only grow when birth rates fall
Correct answer: Cities grow due to both migration and natural increase
Cities don’t grow at all

Q4.
Which of these could cause the population of a city to fall?

High birth rates
Migration into the city
Correct answer: More people dying than being born
Increase in public transport