Population pyramid

Introduction

What is the population pyramid?

Population pyramid is also referred as age-sex pyramid in which the population of the particular country is represented graphically. It tells us the change in population with time i.e. birth rate, death rate and life expectancy of the country. Population pyramid reveals the story of the people living in that particular country. It is divided into different age groups which is further subdivided on the basis of gender. The population of males is on the left side of the graph and that of females are on the right side and the vertical line in the middle separates males and females.

Data representation

The age-structure diagram or age-sex pyramid is represented by the bar graph in which the horizontal or the X axis represents the size of population while the vertical or the Y axis represents the age group. The age group of 0-14 years have an extremely high population and at this age group the government has to invest more in development of schools while the age group of 15-59 years refers to the working population in which the government has to focus on the employment of the individual. The age group of above 59 years are older people in which the government has to focus on the development of healthcare services or sectors. The number of each individual in a specific age group is represented by the length of the horizontal bar. The age groups divided are of the same size, for example: 0-5, 6-10 etc.

The number of children below 15 years of age will be shown at the base of the graph which reflects the birth rate while the people of 15-59 year of age group i.e. working population will be shown at the center of the graph and old age people above 59 years of age will be shown at top of the pyramid graph. The shape of the population pyramid generally depends on the fertility, mortality and internal migration trends. The graph helps in identifying the number of dependents and working population in the country. It also helps in representing the marital status or race etc. of the individuals.

Types of population pyramid

There are basically three types of age-sex pyramid and they are;

• Expansive population pyramid:- This represents the increase in fertility rate i.e. increased percentage of population of younger age group (0-14 years). Many Third World countries like Asia, Africa, Latin America, Australia etc. show this type of population pyramid. The shape of the expansive population pyramid is an upright pyramid with an expanded base. It depicts the high fertility rate as well as high mortality rate and low life expectancy of the population and indicates rapid population growth.
• Constrictive (or Declining) population pyramid:- This represents the decline in birth rate i.e. it shows the lowest percentage of young age people. Example; United States. The entire shape of this pyramid is an inverted pyramid. It depicts the low fertility rate as well as low mortality rate and high life expectancy of the population.
• Stationary (or constant) population pyramid:- The individual of each age group who shows the equal proportion of the population is referred to as the stationary population pyramid i.e. they have the same stable size of population; example: Austria. The overall shape of this pyramid is rectangular, conical at top and indicates population’s gradual growth. Likewise, the population pyramid depicts the low fertility rate as well as low mortality rate and high life expectancy of the population.

Stages of the population pyramid;

Usually there are 5 stages of the population pyramid and it includes high fluctuating, early expanding, late expanding, low fluctuating, and natural decrease. It is concerned with the elevation in the population growth, decline in mortality rate as well as in birth rate. The high fluctuating and early expanding stage have high birth rate while the other 3 stages have low birth as well as mortality rate. Natural decrease stage is yet unknown to many nations.

Population Pyramid in India;

The demography of the India population pyramid in 2020 is 1,401,226,367 (January, 2022 est with a density of 426 people per.sq.km (2011 est.). The population in India doubled between 1975 and 2010. 50% of the Indian population are below 25 years of age. The sex ratio of male and female is increasing day by day, for example; the ratio increases of 940 females per 1000 in 2011 has been increased by 944 females for 1000 males in 2016.

Uses of the population pyramid;

• It helps in identifying the population of a particular country of a particular age group.
• It gives information about the proportion of males and females in the country.
• It identifies the economical or social growth needed for future generations.
• It determines the youth as well as old age dependency ratio.
• It also helps in differentiating the genders in the country.

Conclusion;

Population pyramid helps in differentiating the population on the basis of gender and age group. The young population have a broad base in the graph at bottom. It also helps in envisioning the age of the country. They provide the graphic representation of the age of population of the country i.e. represents the data of present population. Population pyramid influences the death rate, mortality rate and life expectancy of the particular country. It helps the government in developing job opportunities for the young generation. The birth rate as well as the ratio of females to the males can also be detected by the population pyramid.