Population Pyramids

France’s population pyramid Rectangular pyramid

Kenya’s population pyramid Triangular pyramid

Poland’s population pyramid Pentagonal pyramid

Compare the data of the three countries. How are they similar Compare the data of the three countries. How are they similar? How are they different? The only thing similar in the three countries’ data is that the populations are comprised of men and women. Each country follows a different growth pattern. France is in the shape of a rectangle, which means slow growth, Kenya is triangular in shape, which means rapid growth, and Poland is pentagonal in shape, meaning a declining population.

What conclusions can you draw about the characteristics of rapidly growing countries, countries with moderate growth, and shrinking countries? Pentagonal population pyramids, such as Poland’s, indicate a low birth and death rate and a long life expectancy. We can conclude that countries with a shrinking population are economically developed with a high literacy rate, easy access to contraceptives and good healthcare, and have favorable living conditions. Triangular population pyramids, such as Kenya’s, indicate a high birth and death rate, and a short life expectancy. We can conclude that countries with a rapidly growing population are economically under-developed and that the high birth and death rate and short life expectancy are probably due to little access to contraceptives and good healthcare and poor living conditions such as a lack of clean water, little fertile land, etc. Population pyramids in the shape of wide-bottomed triangles indicate a high birth rate and a lower death rate and slightly higher life expectancy than triangular pyramids. We can conclude that countries with a moderately growing population are economically developing. Mexico, for instance, is not fully developed and the quality of life spreads unevenly throughout the nation. So while most of the population has access to contraceptives and good healthcare, there’s still a portion of Mexico who do not have this access and are living in poor conditions.

Based on the data in your pyramid, what might you expect the pyramid to look like in five years? In 10 years? In 50 years? Poland, like France, is an economically developed country but in the declining growth stage. For the next 5 and 10 years, we can predict that the population pyramid will look similar, but showing signs of changing due to advances in medicine and the modernization of its healthcare system. In 50 years, the pyramid will most likely be in the shape of a rectangle, indicating a slow growth. France is an economically developed country, which is currently in the slow growth stage. For the next 5 and 10 years, France’s population pyramid will probably look the same. Within 50 years, we can assume there will be improvements in medicine and technology, so the pyramid will continue to be in the shape of a rectangle, but with a larger population of older citizens, indicating the lengthened life expectancy improvements in medicine support. In counties like Kenya, programs offering health services, contraception, and education usually take a couple years just to take off the ground. So in 5 years, Kenya’s birth and death rate and life expectancy will probably be around the same, resulting in a similar shape as it is now. In 10 years, the birth and death rate will go down and life expectancy might lengthen but not significantly. So the only thing noticeably different might be that the little bulge has flattened. In 50 years, it’s probable that Kenya might start to have an outlook similar to Mexico’s with a wide-bottomed triangle population pyramid indicating a lower death rate, higher life expectancy, moderate population growth, and a developing economy.

Use the population pyramids to make predictions about each country’s future. What problems might each country face if its population trends continue? France and Poland could possibly run into trouble trying support such a large and ever-growing population with healthcare, food, natural resources, etc. Kenya’s problems include a lack of resources and medical care to decrease the death rate and lengthen life expectancy. France’s future includes a never-ending growth in its population. Kenya’s future looks bumpy. Though it’s possible for them to begin on the road to economic development, it will probably take several decades and radical changes to its culture and government. Poland’s future looks bright. Instead of declining, Poland will probably evolve into a slowly growing population.

What are the implications of each type of pyramid structure? France’s pyramid structure implies that the country is economically developed and most, if not all, of the population lives in favorable living conditions with easy access to good healthcare, the ability to read and write, and a high life expectancy. Kenya’s pyramid structure implies that the country is young and economically under-developed with the percent of the dependent population being significantly larger than the percent of the workers supporting them. This also leads to the conclusion that the birth and death rate is high and the life expectancy is short. Poland’s pyramid structure also implies that the country economically developed and very similar to France's population.

Think about the demographics of your town or state Think about the demographics of your town or state. What shape do you think a population pyramid of your town or state would have and why? I think Florida would have a rectangular population pyramid with a high percentage of dependents. This is because Florida is mainly a tourist and retirement state attracting families with children and elderly people ready to retire.

That’s a wrap!