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POPULATION - Pyramids only

The document discusses population pyramids, highlighting the differences between Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs) and More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs) in terms of age and sex composition. It explains the characteristics of each pyramid type, reasons for high birth rates in LEDCs, and low birth rates in MEDCs, as well as the implications of having many young or old dependents. Additionally, it introduces the Demographic Transition Model, outlining the stages of population growth as countries develop.

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POPULATION - Pyramids only

The document discusses population pyramids, highlighting the differences between Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs) and More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs) in terms of age and sex composition. It explains the characteristics of each pyramid type, reasons for high birth rates in LEDCs, and low birth rates in MEDCs, as well as the implications of having many young or old dependents. Additionally, it introduces the Demographic Transition Model, outlining the stages of population growth as countries develop.

Uploaded by

powanekatlo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GEOGRAHY NOTES

POPULATION PYRAMID OR AGE SEX PYRAMID

It is a graph which shows the age and sex composition of the population. Males are on
the left-hand side and females are on the right. Age is in the centre of the graph in age
bands of five years. It is divided into three main age groups.
0 to 14 years -these are known as young dependents since they do not work.
15 to 64 years - these are referred to as the economically active because they work.
65 plus years - these are the old dependents.

POPULATION PYRAMIDS (LEDC is on the left-hand side, MEDC is on the right)

POPULATION PYRAMID FOR LEDCs

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FEATURES OF LEDC PYRAMID

 It has a wide base which represents a high birth rate and growth rate of
population.
 It is steep. Its pyramid shape which represents a high death rate.
 It has a narrow top (apex) which represents shorter/low life expectancy. It shows
that few people reach old age.
 There are more females than males at almost every age group.

REASONS FOR HIGH BIRTH RATE IN LEDCs

 Lack of family planning education or contraceptives.


 In rural areas children are needed as labour on farms.
 Women have a large number of children as there is a high level of infant
mortality.
 Culture/religion mean it is unacceptable to use contraception
 Lack of pension therefore children can provide support in old age.
 Early marriages.
 Religious beliefs which oppose the use of contraceptives.

PROBLEMS OF MANY YOUNG DEPENDENTS


 Strain on the economically active. They have to look after many
dependents.
 Overcrowded homes.

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 Diseases spread faster.


 A large part of national budget is used for young dependents. Therefore,
other areas suffer.
 Mothers spend more time at home looking after children than on other
economic activities.
 It may lead to poverty since you have to provide for many people.

POPULATION PYRAMID FOR MEDCs

 It has a narrow base which implies low birth rate, so there are few children
in the population meaning a low growth rate of population.
 It has a wide apex as compared to the pyramid of LEDCs. This shows a
longer life expectancy. It shows more people reach old age.
 The pyramid has a chimney shape which shows low death rate.
 This is typical of an aging population.

PROBLEMS OF MANY OLD DEPENDENTS IN A COUNTRY

 Expensive as the country will have to build more old age homes.
 Working people may have to pay higher taxes to help the government to
provide facilities for the elderly.
 Working people may miss work in order to take care of the elderly.
 Expensive since the government will have to provide more pensions.

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 Shortage of workers.

REASONS FOR LOW BIRTH RATE IN MEDCs

 Use of contraceptives.
 Governments provide pensions to old people. Therefore, there is no need to
have more children to provide support to old parents.
 Late marriages which reduce the childbearing period.
 Low infant mortality, therefore, there is no need to have more children to ensure
that some survive. Almost all children survive.
 Women prefer working than bearing children
 It is expensive to bring up children
 They are mechanized. Therefore, there is no need for more children to provide
labour in the farms.

DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION MODEL

It is a graph which shows what happens to population growth as a country develops. It


has four/five stages.

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Most LEDCs are in stage two or three of the demographic transition model, this means:

LEDCs have falling death rates, due to improving health care and greater access to modern medicine

LEDCs have high birth rates

How does a country transition from Stage 1 to Stage 4?

In stage 1 the two rates are balanced. In stage 2 they diverge, as the death rate falls
relative to the birth rate. In stage 3 they converge again, as the birth rate falls relative to
the death rate. Finally in stage 4 the death and birth rates are balanced again but at
a much lower level.

The model has four stages: pre-industrial, urbanizing/industrializing, mature


industrial, and post-industrial. In the pre-industrial stage, crude birth rates and crude
death rates remain close to each other keeping the population relatively level

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Stage two is the early expanding stage where population begins to rise. It
has a high birth rate, but the death rate drops. Because of this the natural
increase in population rate goes way up! Infant death rates are often high in
stage 2 communities but people who do survive birth live longer.18 Sep 2021

What is Stage 3 in population pyramid?


Stage 3 is marked by continuing , but slower, decline in death rates coupled with a
significant decline in birth rates. The result is continued growth in the population but
at a much slower rate.

STAGE 1

Poor countries. When a country is not developed. Population growth is low because
both birth rates and death rates are high. Population is balanced.

REASONS FOR HIGH DEATH RATES IN LEDCs

 Lack of access to clean drinking water


 Poor diet
 Shortage of doctors
 Poor medical facilities
 In sufficient food due to drought or war or due to poor methods of farming.
This results in diseases such as marasmus and kwashiorkor. It can also
lead to death as a result of starvation
 Lack of knowledge on disease prevention
 Poor hygiene which leads to diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera etc

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