The beanpole family is increasing because of which combination of factors?

• A. Aging population and smaller birth rates
• B. Increased immigration and urbanisation
• C. Higher death rates and more divorces
• D. More multinational households

Answer: (A)

Beanpole families come from two demographic trends working together: people living longer and having fewer children. When life expectancy rises, more people from older generations remain alive, so there are more generations in one family. When birth rates fall, each generation has fewer children, making each generation narrower. Put those together, and you get a tall, thin family tree with several generations but relatively few siblings in each generation. That’s why the combination of an aging population and smaller birth rates best explains the growth of beanpole families.