1. Answer This Question:
The political cartoon depicts population growth over the past two thousand years. Which statement best describes this illustration? a. Human population has decreased gradually since b. Human population has increased gradually since c. Human population has decreased rapidly since d. Human population has increased rapidly since 1800.

2. How do you interpret a population pyramid?
Essential Question
How do you interpret a population pyramid?

3. What is a population Pyramid?
A population pyramid is a visual representation of the population of a country.
It is a vertical bar graph that displays a population's age and gender composition.
It shows numbers or proportions of males and females in each age group.
It reflects a country’s birthrate and death rate & tells whether or not a population is growing.
This info helps us determine whether nations are MEDCs or LEDCs

4. Why else are Population Pyramids Useful?
They can show trends in the birth rate, death rate, infant mortality rate and life expectancy
These trends can help a country to plan its future services, e.g. more homes for the elderly if there is an ageing population or fewer schools if there is a declining birth rate.
The effects of people migrating into or out of a region or country.
The proportion of the population who are economically active and the proportion who are dependent upon them (dependency ratio).

5. Dependents vs Economically Active Citizens
There are two groups of dependants; young dependants (aged below 15) and elderly dependants (aged over 65).
Those of working age are classed as economically active. Dependants rely upon the economically active for economic support.
Many LEDCs have a high number of young dependants, whilst many MEDCs have a growing number of elderly dependants.

6. The population pyramid displays the age
POPULATION STRUCTURE
The population pyramid displays the age
and gender structure of a country or given area
Population in
Five Year
Age bands
FEMALES
To the right
MALES
To the left
Usually, but not always,
Given in a percentage to make for easier
comparisons
between countries

7. Population pyramid of a less developed nation
Population Pyramid of Nigeria (1995)

8. Interpreting Population Pyramids
A TRIANGLE SHAPED POPULATION PYRAMID MEANS:
Birth rate is high and Death rate is high
High Infant mortality rate
Low Gross Domestic Product
Low quality of life, such as little medical care, inadequate food supply or poor water quality.

9. Population pyramid of a developed nation
Population Pyramid of Sweden (1995)

10. Interpreting Population Pyramids
A BARRELL SHAPED POPULATION
PYRAMID MEANS:
BIRTH RATE IS LOW AND DEATH RATE IS LOW
Low infant mortality rate & high life expectancy
High GDP
High quality of life, such as access to health care, plentiful food supply and good water quality

11. How Do Population Pyramids Change?
Over time, as a country develops, the shape of its population pyramid changes from a triangular shape to a barrel-like shape with straighter edges.
Later as countries become more developed they might have an aging population and a very low birth rate. When this happens the structure that looks a little like an upside-down pyramid.

12. Let’s practice drawing one together.
Age
Male
Female
0-19 15 14
20-39 16
40-59 12
60 & Over 7 9

13. Compare Schofield Barracks, Hawaii to Bella Vista, Arkansas
Compare Schofield Barracks, Hawaii to Bella Vista, Arkansas. What are some potential reasons that might cause the ages to be distributed in this way?

15. What are some areas of demographic focus of population pyramids?
Birth Rate
Death Rate
Infant mortality
Life expectancy
% of dependants to economically active
Migration

16. Homework
Mr. Jihad just received a population pyramid, but he does not know how to read it. In a letter, explain to Mr. Jihad what a population pyramid is and how to interpret a population pyramid.
Choose a population pyramid.
Explain first why population pyramids are important. i.e. what purpose do they serve.
Explain the basic components of a pyramid and the difference in shapes of the pyramids.
Explain the trends that one can notice from a population pyramid using your selection as your specific example.