Population pyramid UNIT 12

Draw a population pyramid

Population pyramids are simple graphs that show the age and sex of population. Each bar shows the percentage of
total population made up by a particular age-sex group. For example, females aged between 5 and 9 made up 3.4
per cent of Australia's total population in 2001.
1.

Use the table of population data for Australia in 2001 to draw a population pyramid on this worksheet. The first
two age groups have been completed for you. Use a ruler to carefully complete the rest of population pyramid.
MALES

AGE

MALE

% MALE

FEMALE

% FEMALE

'0-4

651365
696796
697731
688698
665759
732176
752645
746043
736729
668057
646471
503297
398221
323817
295547
439743

3.4%
3.6%

619852
664264
664833
656066
635402
706020
736500
736129
731096
670546
636708
493559
402988
346308
334605
679623

3.2%
3.4%

5-9
10-14
'15-19
'20-14
'25-29
'30-34
'35-39
'40-44
'45-49
'50-54
'55-59
'60-64
'65-69
'70-74
OVER 74

TOTAL POPULATION

AGE

FEMALES

over74
'70-74
'65-69
'60-64
'55-59
'50-54
'45-49
'40-44
'35-39
'30-34
'25-29
'20-24
'15-19
10-14

19357594

5-9
'0-4
14

12

10

10

12

2. Draw the pyramids for The Gambia (an LEDC) and the UK (an MEDC) 1 for 2005. Then add the following labels to the
correct places on the correct pyramid.
a) Large number of older people means a long life expenctancy
b) Broad base means high birth rate
c) Steeply sloping sides means a high death rate
d) Narrow base means a low birth rate
e) Few older people means low life expectancy
f) Straight sides means low life expectancy
g) Slightly more older women than men.
AGE
'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

% MALE

3
3,3
3,5
3
3
3,7
3,8
4
3,9
3,5
3,5
2,9
2,7
2,3
2
1,5
1

MALES

% FEMALE

AGE

FEMALES

over74

3
3,3
3,2
3
3
3,7
3,9
4
3,9
3,6
3,7
3
2,8
2,6
2,3
1,6

'70-74
'65-69
'60-64
'55-59
'50-54
'45-49
'40-44
'35-39
'30-34
'25-29
'20-24

1,4

'15-19

COUNTRY:

10-14
5-9
'0-4
14

12

10

An MEDC (is a More Economically Developed Country) a fairly rich country with lots of facilities and a high standard of living
An LEDC (is a Less Economically Developed Country) a fairly poor country with few facilities and a relatively low standard of living.

I.E.S. Don Bosco 2012/13 Cristina Sevilla

10

12

14

14

Population pyramid UNIT 12

AGE

% MALE

% FEMALE

'0-4

9
7,5
6,7
5,4
4,4
3,5
3
2,4
2,1
1,7
1,4
1
0,4
0,2
0,1
0,1
0

9
7,2
6,3
5,5
4,1
3,8
3,3
2,3
2,2
2
1,2
1,2
0,3
0,2
0,2
0,1

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

MALES

AGE

FEMALES

over74
'70-74
'65-69
'60-64
'55-59
'50-54
'45-49
'40-44
'35-39
'30-34
'25-29

0,1

'20-24

COUNTRY:

'15-19
10-14
5-9
'0-4
14

3.

12

10

10

12

14

Tables 1 and 2 below show the population age and sex data for the UK (an MEDC) and India (an LEDC). Your task is
to compare the population structures of these two countries by drawing your own population pyramids on your
notebook.
AGE

% MALE

% FEMALE

AGE

% MALE

% FEMALE

'0-4

4,5
4,5
4
3,5
4
3,5
3
3
3
3,5
3
3
3
2,5
1,5
1,5
1

4
4
3,5
3,5
3,5
3
2,5
2,5
3
3
3
3
2,5
2
1,5
1,5

'0-4

8
7
6,5
5,5
4,5
4
3
3
2,5
2
1,5
1
1
0,5
0,5
0,2
0,2

7,5
6,5
6
5
4
3,5
3
3
2
2
1,5
1,5
1
0,5
0,5
0,2

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

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

1. Age and sex population for the UK

80

0,2

1. Age and sex population for India

Now you are going to use your population pyramids to compare the population structure of the two countries. In
your notebook, divide half a page in two columns. You should label one column The United Kingdom and the
other India.
Write out the following sentences under the correct heading:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)

Many babies are being born (high birth rate)

Low birth rate
Many people dying (high birth rate)
Low death rate
Rapid population growth (with high proportion of young to old)
Slow population growth
Better medical facilities
Poor medical facilities
Many children needed to work on farms
Children are expensive
Is a rich country
Is a poor country

I.E.S. Don Bosco 2012/13 Cristina Sevilla