The population of England rose rapidly during the 19th and 20th centuries whereas the populations of Scotland and Wales have shown little increase during the 20th century, with the population of Scotland remaining unchanged since 1951. Ireland for most of its history comprised a population proportionate to its land area (about one third of the total population). However, since the Great Irish Famine, the population of Ireland has fallen to less than one tenth of the population of the British Isles. The famine, which caused a century-long population decline, drastically reduced the Irish population and permanently altered the demographic make-up of the British Isles. On a global scale, this disaster led to the creation of an Irish diaspora that numbers fifteen times the current population of the island. COUNT 4
QSN1 Which two areas in the British Isles hasn't experienced a large population growth in the last one hundred years? ANS1 Scotland and Wales QSN2 How does Ireland's population compare to the rest of the British Isles? ANS2 less than one tenth of the population of the British Isles QSN3 How long did the Great Irish Famine cause a population decline in Ireland? ANS3 century-long population decline QSN4 How large is the Irish diaspora that was caused by the Great Irish Famine? ANS4 fifteen times the current population of the island