Population structure
and control
The wide base of Niger’s pyramid reflects extremely
high fertility. The birth rate in Niger is 48/1000, one of
the highest in the world.
The base of the pyramid for Bangladesh is narrower,
reflecting a considerable fall in fertility after decades
of government promoted birth control programmes.
The fact that the 0-4 and 5-9 bars are narrower than
the two bars immediately above is evidence of recent
falls in fertility.
In the pyramid of UK much lower fertility still is
illustrated by narrowing of the base. The birth rate in
the UK is only 12/1000.
In the case of Japan has a distinctly inverted base
reflecting the lowest fertility of four countries. The
birth rate is only 9/1000.
Divisions of population
pyramid:
1. The young dependent population : 0-14 years
2. The economically active population: 15-64
years
3. The elderly dependent population: 65 years
upwards.
Niger
CHARACTERISTICS/DESCRIPTION
Broad based Steep sloped
Gets narrow towards the top
Number of people decreases as age increases
Large number of dependents and a small number
of economically active group
EXPLANATION
High birth rates High death rate Low life
expectancy Low life expectancy
High dependency ratio
CHARACTERISTICS/DESCRIPTION
EXPLANATION
Narrow base Low birth rate
Gentle sloped Low death rate
Fairly straight edges High life expectancy
Number of people increase as age
increases High life expectancy
Small number of dependents and a large number
of economically active group
Low dependency ratio
Japan: It has a narrow base that shows a move
towards zero growth in population.
It is used to describe highly developed countries.
It used for countries with an aging population.
Its characteristics are:
- very few young people
- low dependency ratio
- high life expectancy
- more working population
- more elderly people
N.B: when comparing two pyramids, compare
the following:
- gender (males and females)
- Life expectancy
- Dependency ratio
- Birth rate
- Death rate
- The shape
Case study:
Niger: A country with a high
dependent population
The Republic of Niger is a land-locked country
in West Africa named after the Niger River. Its
climate is mainly very hot and dry with many
desert areas. It is an LEDC, and is one of the
poorest countries in the world.
Niger has the highest fertility rate in the world
with 7.1 births per woman. Literacy rate is only
28.7% and the population below the poverty
line is 63%. About 90% of the total workforce is
engaged in agriculture; industry 6% and
services 4%. The birth rate is 49.6 and the
death rate is 20.3.
The Niger population under 15 years is 48
percent with 3 percent of 65 years or more,
which shows that 51% of the total population
is dependents. Bangladesh has 37%
dependents; Japan 37% and UK has 34%
dependents
Problem of high young population in Niger:
Niger has a large young population of 48%, which
needs to allocate a substantial proportion of resources
to look after them.
The young people require resources for health; need
proper education, food, safe drinking water and
housing.
The money required to cover such needs may mean
there is little left to invest in agriculture, industry and
other aspects of the economy.
It is difficult to meet the large demand of country’s
resources, and may need to introduce family planning
to reduce the birth rate. However, the parents have
different views and consider their children as wealth.
They also have to rely on their children in old age
because of the lack of state welfare benefits.
Problem of ageing population in Niger:
An increasing amount of money is needed for
residential homes for the elderly people.
More money is required for pensions to the
retired people.
Need more hospital and health care for the
elderly people
Increasing amount of the family doctor’s financial
budget and time is taken up by the elderly.
Less money is available for younger age group for
their education and other necessities
