Population Pyramids
internetgeography.net/igcse-geography/population-and-settlement-igcse-geography/population-pyramids/
The main population characteristics studied in geography are age and gender and
typically involves using population pyramids.
What are population pyramids?
Population pyramids allow population structures to be presented in a way that makes the
data easy to analyse and compare. They can be used to compare changes in the
structure of the population over time. They allow governments and their agencies to
project future population needs, such as health and education and put appropriate plans
in place to meet these needs.
Population pyramids are split in half, showing males on the left and females on the right.
The verticle axis is usually divided into 5-year intervals. The values along the x-axis can
be raw numbers but are usually expressed as a percentage of the population. Below is an
example of a population pyramid for the UK.
1/8
, UK Population Pyramid – source https://www.populationpyramid.net/united-kingdom/2015/
Population pyramids vary in shape from country to country, depending on their level of
economic development.
Population Pyramids in LICs
Population pyramids in low-income countries typically have a wide base and a narrow
top. The population pyramid below shows the population structure for Kenya, an LIC. The
narrow top indicates there are few elderly people, illustrating shorting life-expectancy.
This suggests death rates are high which can be the result of poor healthcare and lack of
sanitation.
2/8
internetgeography.net/igcse-geography/population-and-settlement-igcse-geography/population-pyramids/
The main population characteristics studied in geography are age and gender and
typically involves using population pyramids.
What are population pyramids?
Population pyramids allow population structures to be presented in a way that makes the
data easy to analyse and compare. They can be used to compare changes in the
structure of the population over time. They allow governments and their agencies to
project future population needs, such as health and education and put appropriate plans
in place to meet these needs.
Population pyramids are split in half, showing males on the left and females on the right.
The verticle axis is usually divided into 5-year intervals. The values along the x-axis can
be raw numbers but are usually expressed as a percentage of the population. Below is an
example of a population pyramid for the UK.
1/8
, UK Population Pyramid – source https://www.populationpyramid.net/united-kingdom/2015/
Population pyramids vary in shape from country to country, depending on their level of
economic development.
Population Pyramids in LICs
Population pyramids in low-income countries typically have a wide base and a narrow
top. The population pyramid below shows the population structure for Kenya, an LIC. The
narrow top indicates there are few elderly people, illustrating shorting life-expectancy.
This suggests death rates are high which can be the result of poor healthcare and lack of
sanitation.
2/8
