Population Pyramids

What is Population Pyramids?

Within Geography, which covers maps, landforms, weather, climate, population and settlements: understand how our planet and people connect, this topic explains Population Pyramids. Geography explains how places, people and natural processes connect, so each topic here combines a clear definition with a visual model.

Check that you can explain Population Pyramids in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.

Understanding Population Pyramids helps you explain patterns on maps and in the news, and make reasoned decisions about places and environments.

Population Pyramids in detail

A population pyramid is a bar chart showing the age and sex structure of a population, with males on one side and females on the other, in age groups from the bottom (youngest) to the top. A wide base means high birth rates and a young population, typical of countries such as Nigeria.

A narrow base and wide middle or top shows low birth rates and an ageing population, as in Japan. The shape tells you about birth rates, death rates, life expectancy and dependency ratio, the number of dependants (young and old) compared with the working-age group. Governments use pyramids to plan schools, jobs, healthcare and pensions.

How the interactive helps you understand Population Pyramids

Watch the bar chart in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the bar chart responds.

Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Population Pyramids.

Real-life uses and examples

• Interpret a graph or map that shows Population Pyramids and say what it suggests.
• Describe a real place where Population Pyramids can be seen, using a map or photograph.
• Explain how Population Pyramids affects people, jobs and land use in a region.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Mixing up cause, effect and consequence when you explain Population Pyramids.
• Writing general statements without a named place or example.
• Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.