What is an age pyramid and what can we conclude from it about demographic transition?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

1. An age pyramid is a visual tool that demographers use to understand the age and sex distribution of a population.
2. When interpreted, the shape of the age pyramid gleans information about what stage of development a country is in (i.e., whether or not it has gone through shifts of modernization) and, in turn, the ways the country might distribute resources across the population.
3. For example, if a country has more young people than older people we can assume it is pre-demographic transition because it is characterized by high fertility rates and high mortality rates – likely the result of subpar living conditions and inadequate access to medical care.
4. In contrast, if a country has more older people than younger ones we can assume it is post-demographic transition because it is characterized by low birth rates and low mortality rates – likely the result of good living conditions and adequate access to medical care.