1 Population pyramids can have many different shapes. By looking at the shape of the pyramid , we can evaluate whether the population is increasing (represented by an expanding pyramid), is stationar y, or is decreasing (a contracting pyramid). EXPANDING PYRAMID STATIONARY PYRAMID It is bell-shaped , and the base (young people) and middle section (adults) are almost identical . This indicates that the birth rate and the rate of natural increase have begun to decline. CONTRACTING PYRAMID It is narrower at the base. This indicates a continuously low birth rate (so generational replacement is not guaranteed), and high life expectancy. It reflects an ageing population . To interpret a population pyramid, follow the steps below: Look at its shape to decide what type of pyramid it is: expanding, stationary or contracting. Comment on the differences between sexes: whether there are more women or men in certain age groups. Study the population according to age groups. Analyse the longest and shortest bars and investigate the events that led to these results. Form conclusions about the level of development of the country it corresponds to. Explain how the population will evolve in the future. How to do it Draw the population pyramid of China based on the data below. You can use Excel or draw the pyramid by hand on graph paper. Next, interpret the population pyramid by following the steps above. Compare your population pyramid with that of Japan on the previous page. How are they similar? How are they different? Which country will have the lowest demographic growth in the coming years? Why? Your turn Gropus 0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-85 851 Males 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.2 3.6 4.6 3.6 3.4 4.3 4.3 3.5 2.7 2.5 1.5 0.9 0.5 0.3 Females 2.7 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.8 3.2 4.3 3.4 3.3 4.1 4.2 3.4 2.7 2.6 1.6 1.0 0.6 0.4 Soma l i a 2020 0 - 4 5 - 9 10 - 14 15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49 50 - 54 55 - 59 60 - 64 65 - 69 70 - 74 80 - 84 75 - 79 85 and over % SOURC E : UN, 2 0 2 0 . 0 2 0 2 4 4 6 6 8 8 10 10 Ma l e p o p u l a t i o n F ema l e p o p u l a t i o n 933943_02_p061_h01_piramide_somalia 0 - 4 5 - 9 10 - 14 15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49 50 - 54 55 - 59 60 - 64 65 - 69 70 - 74 80 - 84 75 - 79 85 and over % SOURC E : UN, 2 0 2 0 . 0 1 0 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 Ma l e p o p u l a t i o n F ema l e p o p u l a t i o n Ecuador 2020 933943_02_p061_h02_piramide_equador 0 - 4 5 - 9 10 - 14 15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49 50 - 54 55 - 59 60 - 64 65 - 69 70 - 74 80 - 84 75 - 79 85 and over % SOURC E : UN, 2 0 2 0 . 0 1 0 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 Ma l e p o p u l a t i o n F ema l e p o p u l a t i o n Ge rmany 2020 959143_02_p061_h03_piramide_alemania It has a wide base and becomes narrower towards the top. Population growth is currently high and will continue to be high in the coming years. The low percentage of elderly opulation indicates a low life expectancy. 35
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