1. Population Pyramids and Controls
AP Human Geography Lesson 3
Population Pyramids and Controls

2. Population Composition
Population Composition – the make-up of a population (sex, age, marital status, and education)
Age and sex are the most important of these factors
Displayed using population pyramids

3. Poorer Countries (Evergreen Tree)
note the wide base, low life expectancy and concave profile
A population pyramid typical of stage 2 - note the wide base, lengthening life expectancy and pyramidal profile

4. Wealthier Countries (Vase Shape)
A population pyramid typical of stage 3 - note the narrowing base, increasing life expectancy and rocket shaped profile
A population pyramid typical of stage 4 - note the narrowing base, long life expectancy and vase shaped profile

5. Stage 5
A population pyramid typical of stage 5 - note the ever diminishing base and very long life expectancies

6. A population pyramid typical of stage 1 - note the wide base, low life expectancy and concave profile
A population pyramid typical of stage 2 - note the wide base, lengthening life expectancy and pyramidal profile
A population pyramid typical of stage 3 - note the narrowing base, increasing life expectancy and rocket shaped profile
A population pyramid typical of stage 4 - note the narrowing base, long life expectancy and vase shaped profile
A population pyramid typical of stage 5 - note the ever diminishing base and very long life expectancies

7. Metrics for Understanding Living Conditions
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)
Number of deaths in the first year of life for every thousand live births
Child Mortality Rate (CMR)
Number of deaths of children between the ages of 1 and 5
Marasmus, Beriberi, and Kwashiorkor are nutritional diseases impacting children
Life Expectancy
average number of years someone may expect to live
This is an average and often low life expectancies are caused by high IMR and CMR

8. AIDS Impact Pandemic Spread from Africa in the 1980’s
Poorer countries can’t afford medicine
Still a huge problem in Sub-Saharan Africa
In some countries 1 in 4 are infected
Creates Chimney population pyramids
Chimneys reflect burden placed on the young
AIDS orphans

9. Troubles Facing Wealthier Countries
Chronic Diseases – those associated with old age (heart disease, stroke, and cancer)
Many diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia are minor problems

10. Government Intervention
Why would government be interested in population growth?

11. Expansive Population Policies
Encourage large families
Attempt to raise the rate of natural increase
Generally pursued by countries with aging populations
Examples
Tax breaks for having children
Mandated leave time for parents
Direct financial incentives for large families
Mao and Hitler
Sweden

12. Eugenic Population Policies
Designed to favor one or more groups
Nazi Germany, Greece and Turkey, Peru, and the United States are some examples of this occurring
Forced migration, sterilization, and execution are all methods that have been employed

13. Restrictive Population Policies
Attempt to reduce the rate of natural increase
Most common population policies
These policies include propaganda, contraceptive distribution, legislating against large families, and sterilization