Starter: Match up the key words with the

correct definitions.
birth rate the annual number of deaths of infants less
than one year old per 1,000 live births.
death rate the number of years that an individual is
expected to live as determined by statistics.
natural increase the number of births per 1000 people in a
year.
infant mortality rate is the number of extra people (birth rate minus
the death rate). This is usually given as a
percentage.
Life expectancy the number of deaths per 1000 people in a
year.
Starter: Match up the key words with the
correct definitions.
the annual number of deaths of infants less
than one year old per 1,000 live births.
the number of years that an individual is
expected to live as determined by statistics.
the number of births per 1000 people in a
year.
is the number of extra people (birth rate minus
the death rate). This is usually given as a
percentage.
the number of deaths per 1000 people in a
year.
Starter: Match up the key words with the
correct definitions.
Infant Mortality
the annual number of deaths of infants less
than one year old per 1,000 live births.
Life Expectancy
the number of years that an individual is
expected to live as determined by statistics.
Birth Rate
the number of births per 1000 people in a
year.
Natural Increase
is the number of extra people (birth rate minus
the death rate). This is usually given as a
percentage.
Death Rate
the number of deaths per 1000 people in a
year.
Learning Objectives:
1.To be able to identify key features of a population
pyramid (Level 1).
2.To be able to describe what population pyramids
show (Level 2).
3.To be able to explain population pyramids and
compare LEDCs and MEDCs (Level 3.)
Population Pyramids
Can you explain this graph?
Population Structure
The population structure of a country is how it is
made up of people of different ages, and of
males and females.
The common method to show the structure is by
a population pyramid. This diagram is made up
by putting two bar graphs (one for male, one for
female) side by side.
From this you can read off what percentage of a
population is of a certain gender and age range.
Population Structure - Developing
Countries (LEDCs)
In the example below 4% of the population are females aged
between 25 and 29.
This population pyramid is wide at the base, which means there are
a large proportion of young people in the country. It tapers very
quickly as you go up into the older age groups, and is narrow at the
top. This shows that a very small proportion of people are elderly.
This shape of pyramid is typical of a developing country, such as
Kenya or Vietnam.
Population Structure - Developed
Countries (MEDCs)
This shape is typical of a developed country. It is narrow at the
base, wider in the middle, and stays quite wide until the very top, as
there is a sizable percentage of older people. Note that there are
more old women than men. Italy and Japan have population
structures that are of this shape.
This pyramid is typical of a
country such as Kenya or
Vietnam.
Narrower at the base which
means that birth rates are lower.
Developing Country
Wide at the base which means
there are a large proportion of
young people in the country.
Wide at the top because there
is longer life expectancy.
4% of the population is female
aged 25-29.
Narrow at the top which shows
that there is a small proportion
of elderly people.
Wider in the middle which means
that people are living longer, less
infant mortality.
Developed Country
This pyramid is typical of a
country such as Italy and Japan.
Apply this information to your population pyramid graph sheet
Task 1 Identify key features
This pyramid is
typical of a country
such as Kenya or
Vietnam.
Narrower at the
base which means
that birth rates are
lower.
Wide at the base which
means there are a
large proportion of
young people in the
country.
Wide at the top
because there is
longer life
expectancy.
4% of the
population is
female aged
25-29.
Narrow at the top
which shows that
there is a small
proportion of
elderly people.
Wider in the middle
which means that
people are living
longer, less infant
mortality.
This pyramid
is typical of a
country such
as Italy and
Japan.
Developing Country (LEDCs) Developed Country (MEDCs)
Choropleth Map to show Global Birth Rates
Birth Rates
MEDCs have low birth rates because:

It is expensive to look after large families
More women prefer to concentrate on their
careers
Increasing sexual equality has meant women
have more control over their own fertility
There is a ready availability of contraception and
family planning advice
Birth Rates
LEDCs have high birth rates because:
Many parents will have a lot of children in the expectation
that some will die because of the high infant mortality rate
Large families can help in looking after the farm
The children will be able to look after their parents if they
become old or sick; there may not be an old age pension
scheme
There may be a shortage of family planning facilities and
advice

The infant mortality rates are higher in LEDCs. The
reasons for these higher rates are that developing
countries often have:

A shortage of medical services
A greater number of children born to mothers
Poor nutrition of mothers and babies
Less knowledge of health matters
Dirty water supplies
The chances of surviving to your fifth birthday depends
on where in the world you are born.
Death Rates
Why are there differences between Birth Rates and
Death Rates in different countries?
LEDCs have high death rates because, in many cases, there are:
Dirty, unreliable water supplies
Poor housing conditions
Poor access to medical services
Endemic disease in some countries
Diets that are short in calories and/or protein
MEDCs have low death rates because, in many cases, there are:

Good housing conditions
Safe water supplies
More than enough food to eat
Advanced medical services which are easy to access
Some developed countries have a high death rate as they have an ageing
population with many older people.
1. 2.
BR -
DR -
LE -
BR -
DR -
LE -
BR -
DR -
LE -
PROGRESS?
PEEL
LEDCs have high birth rates. This can
be seen on the graph as it shows a
wide base. The graph of Kenya shows
18% of the population is aged 0-4. This
is because in rural areas families
choose to have lots of children so that
they can help on the farms.
Point
LEDCs have high birth rates. This can
be seen on the graph as it shows a
wide base. The graph of Kenya shows
18% of the population is aged 0-4. This
is because in rural areas families
choose to have lots of children so that
they can help on the farms.
Example
LEDCs have high birth rates. This can
be seen on the graph as it shows a
wide base. The graph of Kenya shows
18% of the population is aged 0-4. This
is because in rural areas families
choose to have lots of children so that
they can help on the farms.
Example
LEDCs have high birth rates. This can
be seen on the graph as it shows a
wide base. The graph of Kenya shows
18% of the population is aged 0-4. This
is because in rural areas families
choose to have lots of children so that
they can help on the farms.
Link
LEDCs have high birth rates. This can
be seen on the graph as it shows a
wide base. The graph of Kenya shows
18% of the population is aged 0-4. This
is because in rural areas families
choose to have lots of children so that
they can help on the farms.
PEEL
LEDCs have high birth rates. This can
be seen on the graph as it shows a
wide base. The graph of Kenya shows
18% of the population is aged 0-4. This
is because in rural areas families
choose to have lots of children so that
they can help on the farms.
Your Turn - Explain the population
pyramids for LEDCs and MEDCs
LEDCs
LEDCS have a high/low life
expectancy. This can be seen on the
graph because it shows a wide/narrow
base. The graph of K_ _ _ _ shows _ %
of the population is aged 80-84. This is
because ....
MEDCs
MEDCs have a low/high birth rate. The
graph shows this because it has a
narrower/wider base. The graph of J _ _ _ _
shows _ % of the population is aged 0-4
years old. This is because ....
Plenary: True or False
A pyramid with a wide base indicates a
low birth rate
A pyramid with a tall, wide top is an
indicator of low life expectancy
Developed countries have a high birth rate
A large number of people in the 40 to 65
age range indicates a low death rate
Japan is a developed country
Kenya is a developed country