e
Cambridge IGCSE Geography
Population structure
What a pyramid shows
Finding out about the population
8
An LEDC population pyramid A narrow shape at the top shows a low proportion of people living into old age and a high death rate
Collecting population data
Indents show higher death rates than normal (war, famine, disease) or through emigration
Nobody knows how many people there are in the world. Many governments carry out a census, or count, every few years to get an idea of the structure of their population. But some countries cannot afford a census; others choose not to have one.
A wide base shows a large number of children (high birth rate)
Features of a population pyramid Population pyramids can give you information about three different groups of people. ■
■
■
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From youth to maturity and beyond ... Youthful
Males
Afghanistan 2010
Females
10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Per cent of total population
100+ 95–99 90–94 12 10 85–89 80–84 75–79 70–74 65–69 60–64 55–59 50–54 45–49 40–44 35–39 30–34 25–29 20–24 15–19 10–14 5–9 0–4
8
35–39 30–34 25–29 20–24 15–19 10–14 5–9 0–4
Intermediate 6 4 2 0
% male
Males
Females
0 2 4 6 8 10 tal population
Mature
Males
USA 2010
Females
10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Per cent of total population
100+ 95–99 90–94 85–89 80–84 75–79 70–74 65–69 60–64 55–59 50–54 45–49 40–44 35–39 30–34 25–29 20–24 15–19 10–14 5–9 0–4
0
Tunisia 4 6 2010
2
Females
Age
Males
Germany 2025 (projected) Females
10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Per cent of total population
6
4
2
Indents show higher death rates than normal (war, famine, disease) or through emigration or reduced birth rate A narrow base shows a small number of children (low birth rate)
0
0
2
4
6
8 10 12
% female
An MEDC population pyramid Age
A broad shape at the top shows a high proportion of people living longer
85+ 80–84 75–79 70–74 65–69 60–64 55–59 50–54 45–49 40–44 35–39 30–34 25–29 20–24 15–19 10–14 5–9 0–4
Indents show higher death rates than normal (war, famine, disease) or through emigration or reduced birth rate
Mature
8 10 12
% female
10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Per cent of total population
Post-mature
8
Women live longer than men
% male
A narrow base shows a small number of children (low birth rate)
Age Tunisia 2010
12 10
An LEDC population pyramid The youngest age group of 0–14 are dependants as they are A narrow shape at the top usually of school age and depend on others shows a low proportion of for resources. people living into old age The 15–64 age group are usually working, andAge young andWomen live 75+ and a high death rate elderly groups are dependent on them. They 70–74 provide longer 65–69 than men resources that the other groups depend Indents show higher on. 60–64 death rates than 55–59 The elderly group from 65 normal upwards are dependants as they (war, famine, 50–54 disease) or through 45–49 are not usually in work. emigration 40–44 A wide base shows a large number of children (high birth rate)
Age 75+ 70–74 65–69 60–64 55–59 50–54 45–49 40–44 35–39 30–34 25–29 20–24 15–19 10–14 5–9 0–4
An MEDC
A broad shape at the to shows a high proportio of people living longer
Males
USA 2010
Females
100+ 95–99 90–94
6 85–89 4 2
% male
80–84 75–79 70–74 65–69 60–64 55–59 50–54 45–49 40–44 35–39 30–34 25–29 20–24 15–19 10–14 5–9 0–4
0
Women live longer than men
Germany 2025 % female (projected)
Post-mature 0 2 4
Males
6
Females
TASK 1: Study Source in the shape and structure of the 10 8 6 a4 List 2 0 three 2 4 6diff 8 erences 10 10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Per cent oftwo totalpopulation population pyramids.Per cent of total population b What issues wouldAge face the government of a country with a population pyramid like that of the LEDC? c How would these issues be different for a government with a population pyramid like that of the MEDC? TASK 2: Study Source a Describe the population structure of Afghanistan in 2010. Refer to age groups, workforce and dependants in your answer. b In 2010, Tunisia’s structure was different to that of Afghanistan. Suggest reasons for any differences. c The government of the USA had different population issues to deal with in 2010 than either Afghanistan or Tunisia. Describe these differences and suggest reasons for them. d Based on sample censuses, Germany has projected its 2025 population as shown. What should the government be doing now based on the shape of this pyramid?
6
4
%m