13.1.2

Population Structure

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Population Structure

Population structure is the number of people in each age group within a population. Developed countries tend to have an ageing population whereas developing countries have a youthful population.

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What are population pyramids?

  • A population pyramid is a graph which shows the structure of a country's population.
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Male/female split

  • The pyramid is divided into two sides:
    • The pink or red side usually shows females.
    • The blue side usually shows males.
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Shape

  • An ageing population will have a narrow base and a wider top.
  • A youthful population will have a wide base and a narrower top.
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Life expectancy

  • The height of the population pyramid also relates to life expectancy.
  • We would expect a country such as Kenya to have a lower height of pyramid than the UK.

Jump to other topics

1Geography Skills

2Geology of the UK

3Geography of the World

4Development

5Weather & Climate

6The World of Work

7Natural Resources

8Rivers

9Coasts

10Glaciers

11Tectonics

12Climate Change

13Global Population & Inequality

14Urbanisation

15Ecosystems

16Life in an Emerging Country

17Analysis of Africa

18Analysis of India

19Analysis of the Middle East

20Analysis of Bangladesh

21Analysis of Russia

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