What are population

pyramids? Page 1

They are bar charts which show the structure of the population
by sex and age at a given moment.
The vertical axis represents the age groups in five-year bands.

80+
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
The horizontal axis shows the population numbers in Page 2

percentages or in absolute figures:

80+
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
Percentage of total population
The men on the left: Page 3

Men 80+
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

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
The women on the right: Page 4

80+ Women
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

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Percentage of total population
The shapes of the pyramids
The shape of the pyramid reflects the population type. Page 5

We can distinguish a triangular shape, which reflects a young

population type; a bell shape, which represents an adult
population type; and an urn shape, which indicates an ageing
population.
Chad Argentina Canada
Total population in 2006: 9,648,955 people Total population in 2006: 39,921,833 people Total population in 2006: 33,098,932 people
Men Women Men Women Men Women
4 620 593 people 5 028 362 people 19 697 658 people 20 224 175 people 16 358 271 people 16 740 661 people
Triangular Bell Urn
80+ 80+
75-79 75-79
70-74 70-74
65-69 65-69
60-64 60-64
55-59 55-59
50-54 50-54
45-49 45-49
40-44 40-44
35-39 35-39
30-34 30-34
25-29 25-29
20-24 20-24
15-19 15-19
10-14 10-14
5-9 5-9
0-4 0-4
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10
Percentage of total population 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Men Women Percentage of total population Percentage of total population
1.22% Elderly 1,65% Men Women Men Women
22.64% Adults 27,00%
4.36% Elderly 6,27% 5.69% Elderly 7,63%
24.03% Young people 23,46%
32.07% Adults 32,06% 34.69% Adults 34,35%
Source: International Data Base, U.S. Census Bureau. 12.91% Young people 12,33% 9.04% Young people 8,61%

Source: International Data Base, U.S. Census Bureau. Source: International Data Base, U.S. Census Bureau.
The triangular pyramid is representative of a young population. Page 6

Its base is wide, due to the high birth rates. The percentage of
young people exceeds 35%.
The population rapidly falls towards the top, due to a low
or medium life expectancy, so there are relatively few elderly
people: less than 5% of the population.
This pyramid, which characterised all countries in the first
demographic phase, is now typical of the most underdeveloped
countries of Africa and Asia.

Chad
Total population in 2006: 9,648,955 people
Men Women
4 620 593 people 5 028 362 people
Triangular

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10
Percentage of total population
Men Women
1.22% Elderly 1,65%
22.64% Adults 27,00%
24.03% Young people 23,46%

Source: International Data Base, U.S. Census Bureau.

The bell-shaped pyramid indicates an adult population. Its Page 7

base is moderate, as birth control has begun. The percentage

of young people is between 25% and 35%.
The population falls slowly towards the top, due to a
high life expectancy, so the percentage of elderly people is
moderate: between 5% and 12%.
Today, this pyramid is typical of developing countries in
Central and South America, Asia and the Middle East.

Argentina
Total population in 2006: 39,921,833 people
Men Women
19 697 658 people 20 224 175 people
Bell 80+
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

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Percentage of total population
Men Women
4.36% Elderly 6,27%
32.07% Adults 32,06%
12.91% Young people 12,33%

Source: International Data Base, U.S. Census Bureau.

The urn- or bulb-shaped pyramid is characteristic of an Page 8

ageing population. It has a narrow base due to a low, and

falling, birth rate. The percentage of young people is lower
than 25%.
The population falls very slowly towards the top, due to a very
high life expectancy. The percentage of elderly people is high:
over 12%.
This pyramid is typical of developed countries in North
America, Europe, Asia (Japan) and Oceania.

Canada
Total population in 2006: 33,098,932 people
Men Women
16 358 271 people 16 740 661 people
Urn 80+
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

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Percentage of total population
Men Women
5.69% Elderly 7,63%
34.69% Adults 34,35%
9.04% Young people 8,61%

Source: International Data Base, U.S. Census Bureau.