HPOP 121

BASIC DEMOGRAPHIC
MEASURES AND
POPULATION COMPOSTION

Dr. Karabo Mhele

Pyramids
• Main objective is to:
• Identify the different types of population pyramids.
• Explain the main factors influencing the shapes of
these pyramids
Progressive pyramid

• The pyramid show a larger percentage of

the population in the younger age cohorts,
usually with each age cohort smaller in size
than the one below it.
• It is typically representative of developing
nations.
• It is characterised by high fertility rates and
high mortality rates. That is, few people are
surviving to older ages due to high mortality
rates in this population.
,
Stationary Pyrmaid
Populations that is not
growing or decreasing – it is
stationary!
Is characterized by rectangular
shape, displaying somewhat
equal percentages across age
cohorts.

This pyramid is characteristic of

developed nations, where birth rates are
low and overall quality of life is high
resulting in relatively lower death rates.
In short, mortality and fertility rates are
lower compared to progressive pyramid.
Constrictive pyramid

• The populations consist mostly of the elderly

people shown by high number of people at
these ages.
• Has an inverted shape with the graph
tapering in at the bottom.
• The population size is shrinking/decreasing.
• Have smaller percentages of people in the
younger age cohorts.
• Typically characteristic of countries in the
developed world
Districts in North-West province

, ,