Population Describing population structure “population structures vary with different levels of birth rates, death rates and migration” SQA

Population structure Population data can be put into a graph called a population pyramid. It is basically two bar graphs, one for males and one for females, showing how much of that country’s population is that gender and in age bands. Population Population pyramids can tell us important facts about the structure of the population of that country. The population structure is the amount of people in each of the main age groups – NOT the shape of the pyramid, but this can give us clues about the structure. It can also tell us about the birth rate, death rate and life expectancy. The main age groups you need to mention are the young dependants (0- 15s), the economically active (16-64) and the older dependants (65+). A B

Population structurePopulation The birth rate 1. The birth rate – this is shown by the width of the base. The wider the base of the pyramid the higher the birth rate. A B The death rate 2. The death rate – this is shown by the sides of the pyramid. The more sloping it is the higher the death rate as there are less people in each successive age group. The life expectancy 3. The life expectancy – this is shown by the how high the pyramid reaches and how many people have survived into old age.

Population structurePopulation It has a wide base indicates high proportion of young dependents. This is due to high Birth Rates caused by large family traditions, limited access to and knowledge of family planning, the need for children for labour. Pyramid A, a developing country (ELDC) has this shape of pyramid because: A The pyramid narrows quickly due to high infant mortality rates and young dependents not surviving into economically active due to problems of healthcare access, food supplies and dirty water. The pyramid tapers rapidly towards the top indicating a low percentage of elderly dependents. This is due to high, but falling, Death Rates and low life expectancy as a result of poor healthcare, inadequate welfare systems, overcrowding, malnutrition. ELDCs

Population structurePopulation B EMDCs Pyramid B, a developed country (EMDC) has this shape of pyramid because:  Narrow base indicates lower percentage of young dependents (bullet-shaped) due to low / falling Birth Rates as a result of increased use of contraception, more women pursuing careers, increasingly material lifestyles etc. High percentage of economically active gives uniform structure. This is due to low mortality rates in the young dependent population - most children/teenagers survive to adulthood due to accessible and widespread healthcare, reliable food supplies etc. Reasonably wide top shows large proportion of elderly dependents. This is due to a decline in Death rates/increase in life expectancy as a result of advances in geriatric health and community care, state and private pensions raising living standards, specialised housing, improved diets etc.

Population structurePopulation 1. The birth rate 1. The birth rate – 2. The death rate 2. The death rate – 3. The life expectancy 3. The life expectancy – The main age groups you need to mention are

Population structurePopulation ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ Pyramid A, a _________________ (ELDC) has this shape of pyramid because: A ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ELDCs

Population structurePopulation B EMDCs Pyramid B, a ______________ (EMDC) has this shape of pyramid because:  _____________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ___ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________