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Population Pyramids
What is a population pyramid? A population pyramid is a pyramid-shaped diagram illustrating the age distribution of a population; the youngest ages are at the bottom ascending in age till the oldest age at the top of the pyramid. Key Features: Age structure : The number of individuals of each age in the population, can predict the growth or decline of the population Sex ratio: The proportion of males and females and it can influence population growth and happiness of cultures
Types of Population Pyramids
A population pyramid shows the age and gender of a society. Population pyramids allow geographers analyze a place and identify its rate of growth. There are three types of growth; rapid, slow/stable and negative/declining. Below are examples of each stage. Rapid Growth Population Pyramid Shape: Looks like a typical pyramid with a large base that gets smaller as you ascend. This type of population typically has poor health care and short life expectancies. Mostly found in under developed and developing countries. Age Ratio: Large proportion of young high young dependency ratio Sex Ratio: Balance sex ratio Implications: Clear need for investment into water supplies, health care, food supplies, housing to reduce death rates and family planning to reduce birth rate. Examples: Kenya, India Negative or Declining Growth Population Pyramid Shape: “Rocket shape” This type of population pyramid is mostly found in developed countries. These countries have good health care, long life expectancies and stable governments. However, their birth rates are lower than needed to replace the population. Age Ratio: Large proportion of working Population, low proportion of young dependents Sex Ratio: Mostly balanced pyramid, often higher older female population. Implications: Aging population is taxing on the health care system. May not be enough workers to keep the society functioning, typically become dependent on migrant workers. Examples: Germany, Japan Slow or Stable Growth Population Pyramid Shape: “Beehive shape” There is little change in the lower sections of the pyramid. Only after the upper ages do you see a marked change in population. This type of population pyramid is mostly found in developed countries sometimes middle income countries. These countries have good health care, long life expectancies and stable governments. Age Ratio: Bars of equal length – Balance Proportion Sex Ratio: Balance pyramid - Balance Sex Ratio Implications: Sustainable, positive outlook Examples: United States
Population Pyramids Comparisons
Answer the following questions below using your population pyramids.
- From your notes, Identify the which countries are: a. Rapid Growth _________________________________________________________________________ Why? ________________________________________________________________________________ b. Stable Growth _________________________________________________________________________ Why? ________________________________________________________________________________ c. Negative Growth _______________________________________________________________________ Why? ________________________________________________________________________________
- Why are there, generally, more females than males in the older age groups? _____________________________
- What could a negative growth country do to increase the population of the younger age groups to become more stable? _____________________________________________________________________________________
- What infrastructures might a rapid growth country improve to stem the high infant mortality rate allowing their growth to become more stable? _________________________________________________________________
- What factors must a stable growth country focus on to remain stable? __________________________________
