Population structure: pyramids, age and sex
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Flip to reveal answersWhat does a population pyramid show?
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All 10 Flashcards — Population structure: pyramids, age and sex
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Question
What does a population pyramid show?
Answer
A country's **age and sex structure** — males left, females right, youngest at the bottom.
Question
Define age structure.
Answer
How a population is divided between **young, working-age and old** people.
Question
Who are the dependants?
Answer
**Under-15s and over-65s**, who rely on the working-age (15–64) population.
Question
Define the sex ratio.
Answer
The **balance of males to females** in a population (often per 100 females).
Question
Define the rate of natural increase.
Answer
**Birth rate − death rate** (per 1000 per year); it **excludes** migration.
Question
Wide-based pyramid shape means…
Answer
A **youthful** population — high birth rate, fast growth.
Question
Narrow base + wide top means…
Answer
An **ageing** population — low birth rate, more elderly.
Question
Why is the female side wider at the top?
Answer
Women tend to **live longer**, so they dominate the oldest age groups.
Question
Why can labour migration unbalance the sex ratio?
Answer
It is often young **men** moving for work, leaving more females at the source.
Question
Data command terms: Identify vs Describe?
Answer
**Identify** = read a value off; **Describe** = report the pattern (shape + figures), no reasons.
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Full study notes for Population structure: pyramids, age and sex
Topic 1.2 hub
Changing populations and places
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Geography exam skills
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