POPULATION
PYRAMIDS
WHAT is a population pyramid?
HOW to read a population pyramid?
Recognise SHAPES of population
pyramids.
IMPORTANCE of population
pyramids.
What is a population
pyramid?
It is a diagram that gives information
about the proportion of males and
females in each age group.
Also shows:
- proportion of young people (0 -14 )
- proportion of working people (15 – 59)
- proportion of elderly people (60+)
What is a population
pyramid?
Vertical Axis - Age Groups
Elderly dependents
Working population
Young dependents
Horizontal Axis – Percentage / number
How to read a population
pyramid?
Read the title e.g. country or city or
racial group
Comment on general shape of the
pyramid
Note the proportion of people in various
age groups
Note the sex ratio
Interpret the data
What Population Pyramids Show Us
Economically Economically
More Less
Developed Developed
Country Country
KEY
slope of pyramid indicate the death rate
width of the base is related to birth rate/fertility rate
proportions of men and women can suggest male or female migrations
height of graph can indicate life expectancy (ignore the very thin end of the
wedge as occurs on graph B as these people are a definite minority)
"kinks" indicate dramatic reductions in birth rate or increases in
death rate in the past
area of graph indicates total population - compare areas of different
population age groups or different sex on one graph
The overall shape of the population pyramid can indicate whether it is an
Economically More Developed Country or Economically Less Developed Country
Population Pyramids related to the
Demographic Transition Model
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4
IMPLICATIONS IMPLICATIONS IMPLICATIONS IMPLICATIONS
Both birth rates and Population starts Population continues Low Crude Birth Rate
Death rates are to grow at an to grow but at slower and Crude Death Rate
High, so population exponential rate due to rate. Low C Death Rate. Higher dependency ratio
growth rates are fall in Crude Death Rate. Dramatically declining and longer life expectancy
slow but population More living In middle age. Crude Birth Rate. Crude Death Rate does
Is usually restored Life expectancy rises Rise slightly because of
Due to high birth Infant mortality rate falls. The ageing population
Rate. Short life
Expectancy EXAMPLES
EXAMPLES EXAMPLES Scotland today.
EXAMPLES Japan, USA
Scotland before 1760 Scotland 1760 - 1830 Scotland 1870 -1950
New Guinea Republic of Congo Algeria, Tunisia
Remote parts of Morocco
Amazonia
There is some merit in including or considering
a Stage 5 today with a declining population
Types of Population
Pyramid
1. Triangular-shaped
2. Beehive-shaped Pyramid
3. Rectangular-shaped Pyramid
Shape of pyramids is controlled by
births,
deaths, &
migrations.
Pyramid
(Broad-based
Pyramid)
Broad-based Pyramid
Title: India, 2000
Shape: Broad Base - high birth rates
Narrow Top - small elderly population
- high death rate
Proportion: - Large proportion of young
- high young dependency
ratio
Sex Ratio: Balance pyramid - Balance sex
ratio
Indonesia
2000
Malaysia
2000
Beehive-shaped
Pyramid
Beehive-shaped
Pyramid
Title: Singapore, 2000
Shape: Rocket-shaped / Narrow Base
– Low Birth Rates, Slow popu. growth
Proportion: Large proportion of working
population, 15-59 yr old - large
group of economically active pop
Sex Ratio: Balanced pyramid
Hong Kong
2000
Taiwan
2000
Rectangular-shaped
Pyramid
Rectangular Pyramid
Title: Netherlands, 2000
Shape: Rectangular-shaped - Zero Pop Growth
Narrow Base - Low Birth Rates
- Life-expectancy is high e.g. 80+
- Low death rates
Proportion: Bars of equal length - Balance
Proportion
Sex Ratio: Balance pyramid - Balance Sex
Ratio
UK 2000
Netherlands
2000
Population Pyramids in
Transition
Each pyramid tells a story
about the
past, present & future
of a country & its people.
Pyramid of an LEDC
A BROAD BASE POPULATION PYRAMID MEANS:
High Birth rates
Implications:
•increase food production
•build more homes & schools
•plan for more job opportunities for the young in future
•implement birth control programme/campaigns
•Usually agricultural with problems of overpopulation.
•Many Dependents
Pyramid of an MEDC
A NARROW BASED POPULATION PYRAMID MEANS:
Birth rate and Death rate low
•Work out incentives to encourage more births
•hiring foreign labour
•proper medical services & health care for the aged
Importance of Population
Pyramids
Policy Planning
~ future housing estates
~ future schools
~ future jobs
Comparison with other countries
~ developed (US) vs developing
(India)
Fantastic web site for population
Pyramids
[Link]
