1. Which population pyramid would you expect to be from a developing country?
Explain
your answer.
Population pyramid A likely represents a developing country. The wide bottom,
showing a large number of children, suggests high birth rates, but the narrowing top
indicates higher mortality rates and a shorter life expectancy, patterns commonly
seen in developing countries.
2. Estimate the number of males between the age of 0-4 in population pyramid A.
140,000
3. Estimate the number of people aged 75-79 in population pyramid B.
338,000
4. Which population pyramid depicts a location with a lower life expectancy? Explain
your answer.
Population pyramid A indicates a location with lower life expectancy. It shows fewer
elderly people, as the upper age groups are much smaller compared to the base,
suggesting that fewer people live to an advanced age.
5. Which statement is true for population pyramid B:
D. The narrowing base of pyramid B indicates that fewer children are being born
compared to previous generations, a sign of declining fertility rates.
1. Identify the age bracket with the highest number of individuals for 1980 and 2020. (If you
visit the website, you see the exact numbers)
In 1980, the age bracket with the highest number of individuals was 0-4 years. In 2020, the
highest number of individuals was in the 25-29 years bracket.
2. Describe the general shape of India's population pyramid in 1980 and 2020.
In 1980, India's population pyramid had a pyramid shape, with a wide base and rapidly
narrowing upper levels. By 2020, the pyramid is more beehive shaped, with a less wide base
and a broader middle area.
2. Explain what the shape of India's population pyramid in 1980 indicates about its birth and
death rates?
In 1980, the wide base of the pyramid (with 7.7% in the 0-4 age group) signals high birth
rates. The rapid narrowing as the pyramid moves up shows high death rates, especially in
older age groups, where very few people live into their 80s and 90s. The large proportion of
young individuals, along with the high death rates among older groups, suggests that there
are challenges such as limited healthcare access that were prevalent in the 1980s in India,
contributing to India’s high birth and death rate.
3. Compare the two population pyramids including birth rates, death rates and life
expectancy.
Birth rates have declined from 1980 to 2020. In 1980, 7.7% of the population was under the
age of 5, compared to just 4.4% in 2020. This could be due to India’s success in raising
awareness of reproductive health. Death rates have also decreased significantly. In 1980,
the population aged 60 and older made up a much smaller proportion of the total population,
indicating high mortality rates in these older age groups. By 2020, the proportion of people
living beyond age 60 has increased, indicating better healthcare and living conditions. Life
expectancy has improved, with more people surviving into their 60s, 70s, and even 80s by
2020. This reflects better healthcare, declining mortality rates from diseases, and
improvements in nutrition.
4. How might India's population pyramid shape affect its future economic growth? (You may
need to research further)
With a large proportion of the population in the working-age group (20-40 years), India is
likely to experience an economic growth that would be boosted by having a high amount of
workers.This could lead to increased productivity, innovation, and investment in
infrastructure. However, as India’s population continues to age, the group’s age will increase
and could create economic challenges as fewer people would remain working, and more
resources are needed towards healthcare for an ageing society.
5. Explain how the population pyramid of India might impact its healthcare system.
The ageing population (especially those in their 60s and beyond) will start to burden the
healthcare system. Diseases such as cancer or dementia are likely to become more
prevalent and will require long-term medical care. Therefore the shift from a youthful to older
population means more resources will need to be allocated to elder care, long-term care
facilities, and mental health services for the elderly.
6. Discuss one potential social challenge that could arise from India's current population
structure.
One significant social challenge India faces is the large and growing proportion of its youth
population, particularly those in the 15-29 age group. This demographic trend, characterised
by a youthful population pyramid with a wide base, indicates a high potential for future
economic growth but also presents substantial risks if not managed effectively. The
challenge lies in ensuring that this young population has access to quality education,
training, and employment opportunities. Failure to address these needs could lead to high
levels of unemployment. Additionally, the pressure on resources and services will intensify,
as the demand for jobs, housing, and healthcare increases, potentially leading to disparities
and possibly social tensions. Effective policies and investments are vital to harness the
demographic dividend while mitigating the risks.
