Population Pyramids

What is a population pyramid? A visual representation of the population of a country. graphically display a population's age and gender composition show numbers or proportions of males and females in each age group show gains of members due to immigration and birth, and loss of members due to emigration and death reflect population growth or decline

Interpreting a Population Pyramid Remember that a population pyramid is basically a bar graph turned on its side. Each line is showing you what percentage of the population is a certain age. Examine the title and the type of data presented. (ex. Age breakup, numbers listed below, male-female notation.) True pyramids are developing countries. The majority of the population is younger and not many people live to an old age. Developed countries are more rectangular; the population is spread more equally through the age groups.

How to interpret population pyramids There main types of pyramids Rapid growth Slow growth Negative growth Shape of rapid growth Shape of Slow growth Shape of negative growth

Rapid growth

Rapid growth pyramids Have a large base to show high birth rates Amount of people decreases as the ages goes up indicating a lower standard of living Associated with developing countries like Brazil, Uganda, China

Slow Growth

Slow growth pyramids Take on a more rectangular shape Indicates population is remaining fairly steady Birth rates and death rates are similar Associated with developed countries like the UK, Germany, Canada

Negative growth

Negative growth pyramids Looks like a reverse pyramid Indicates the population of the country is decreasing Death rates are higher than birth rates Associated with developed countries like Austria, Japan, Italy