3.1.3 AGE SEX PYRAMIDS

AGE/SEX PYRAMIDS

Show the proportion of

the population (or of each sex) at each age

level.

Demographer usually plot % or # of male and females in the total population in each of three categories:

1. Pre-reproductive (0-14)2. Reproductive (15-44)3. Post-reproductive (45 and up)Male Female

Ages 0-14 Ages 15-44 Ages 45-85+

HOW DOES AGE STRUCTURE AFFECT POPULATION GROWTH?

Age/Sex Pyramids help demographers determine the potential for future growth of a specific age group as well as that of the total population .

The overall shape of the pyramid indicates potential growth.

Age structure diagrams not only reveal a population’s growth trends, but can point to future social conditions.

Male Female

U.S.

Male Female

Congo

Male Female

Germany

Why would a country’s leaders want to know the proportion of the population in different age groups?

What difference does the age of the people in a country make?

What kinds of products do young people use?

Older people? Is it important for a government

leader or planner to know the age of population they are serving?

Male Female

Rapid GrowthGuatemala

NigeriaSaudi Arabia

Ages 0-14 Ages 15-44 Ages 45-85+

Slow GrowthUnited States

AustraliaCanada

Male Female

Zero GrowthSpain

AustriaGreece

Male Female

Negative GrowthGermanyBulgariaSweden

Male Female

Ages 0-14 Ages 15-44 Ages 45-85+

300 200 100 0 100 200 300

85+

80-85

75-79

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

5-9

0-4

Male Female

Population (millions)

Ag

e

Developing Countries

300 200 100 0 100 200 300

85+

80-85

75-79

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

5-9

0-4

Male Female

Population (millions)

Ag

e

Developed Countries

Fig. 46.15, p. 827

CANADA UNITED STATES

INDIA AUSTRALIA

MEXICO CHINA

AGE STRUCTURE DIAGRAM U.S.