Exam Style Question > Youthful and Ageing Population
Describe the population pyramid for Niger for 2010. [4 Marks]
In Niger 2010 there is a high birthrate of about 1.6 million for both boys and girls. However there is a very low
population of those over 35. Most people live to about 75 years of age and the based on the high birthrate and low
population over 35 there is a low dependency rate of those 65 and over and a high dependency rate of those under 18.
This is a typical pattern for less developed countries and indicates that there is a short life expectancy and high birth and
death rates.
Describe the population pyramid for Australia for 2010. [4 Marks]
In Australia 2010 the birthrate is about 0.6 million for both male and females. The highest population is between the
ages of 20 and 60 which indicates and increase in the birthrate for these years. The life expectancy is about 95 for both
males and females and the dependency rate is relatively low based on the high population in the working ages and lower
in the older and younger populations.
Compare the population structure shown in the year 2010 demographic pyramids. [4 Marks]
In the 2010 Niger pyramid there is a very high birthrate and a very high death rate, causing the pyramid to have a large
base and narrow top with the majority of the population being under 20 years of age. In the 2010 Australia pyramid
there is a low birthrate and death rate but a high population of working class between the ages of 20 and 60 that causes
the graph to have a more thin base, a wide middle and a thin top.
Demographic structure can be used to demonstrate stages of development. Explain how the population pyramids show
that Australia is more developed than Niger. [6 Marks]
The pyramid of Niger shows a high birth and death rate as well as a short life expectancy. These conditions usually
appear in less developed countries where the women are not educated and have an abundance of children and due to
lack of healthcare and sanitary conditions people do not live long. In Australia’s pyramid there is a lower birth and death
rate in comparison to the bulk of the population hovering between ages 20 and 60. This shows a low dependency rate
and that the population is spread out more evenly and the life expectancy is also higher with age 95 compared to age 75
in Niger.
With reference to the population change shown between Niger 2010 and Niger 2050, what considerations will need to
be made in the provision of services and employment between 2010 and 2050? [6 Marks]
In Niger 2010 there is an abundance of children and a low number of working class and elderly, in 2050, the birthrate
increases from 1.6 million to almost 4 million. Looking at the pyramid one can also see that the working class increased
and the life expectancy increased as well. The population is larger and is beginning to look like a pyramid of a more
developed country. This indicates that over the 40 years the income has increased allowing those living in Niger to be
better educated and have access to better healthcare allowing them to have longer lives. The dependency rate still
remains relatively high however based on the large number of births per year.
With reference to the population change shown between Australia 2010 and Australia 2050, what considerations will
need to be made in the provision of services and employment between 2010 and 2050? [6 Marks]
In Australia 2010 the general population is in the middle of the pyramid in the range of 20 to 60 years old, however in
2050 the life expectancy increases from 95 to 100 and the women are expected to live longer. There is a higher working
class population of men reaching almost 1 million but the birth rate remains relatively the same. This shows that there
has been an increase in male immigrants for required jobs possibly in construction due to further developments in the
country. The population remains steady and the dependency rate remains relatively low but increases from 2010 based
on the longer life expectancy.
The Map above is of the different provinces in China, and it shows the range of Infant Mortality Rates in the Country.
What does Infant Mortality Rate mean?
Infant Mortality Rate is the number of deaths of infants under a year old per 1000 live births (2)
Describe the pattern of Infant Mortality in China
In china, there is a high infant mortality rate in Xinjiang, Qinghai and Sichuan with equal to or greater than 40% infant
mortality rate. This is probably because these areas are less developed and therefore have less access to proper health
care, food and clean water causing higher rates of terminal illnesses to occur. The areas with infant mortality rates that
are less than 10% such as Jilin or Shanxi are the areas that have more money and are therefore able to access proper
healthcare and have available food and clean water so that their children survive past one year. (3)
Give possible reasons that may explain differences of Infant Mortality within the same country
There are higher infant mortality rates in certain places due to less development and therefore no available healthcare,
food or clean water which accounts for many more illnesses or deaths due to lack of nutrition, dehydration or starvation
in those who are infants. In those places with low infant mortality rates they are most likely more developed and have
better healthcare and more available food and clean water which would keep them healthier and allow them to live past
one year with less chance of fatal illnesses. (4)
Next: China – China – Demographic Change over Time.