Population Structure and Distribution
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Population pyramids
A population pyramid is a bar chart showing the age and sex structure of a population.
The shape of the pyramid immediately tells you about a country's level of development.
Population pyramids — Key Knowledge
- Males shown on the left females on the right
- Age groups in horizontal bars, Wide base high birth rate, young population
- Narrow top low life expectancy, few elderly
- Even/column shape low birth rate, low death rate, ageing population
LEDC pyramid shape
Less economically developed countries typically have a wide-based, triangular pyramid.
This shape indicates rapid population growth and a high dependency ratio.
LEDC pyramid shape — Key Knowledge
- Wide base high birth rate
- Rapidly narrowing high death rate, especially infant mortality
- Narrow top low life expectancy
- Large young dependent population
MEDC pyramid shape
More economically developed countries typically have a more even, column-shaped pyramid.
This shape indicates slow or no population growth and an ageing population challenge.
MEDC pyramid shape — Key Knowledge
- Narrow base low birth rate
- Fairly even through middle low death rate
- Wider top high life expectancy
- Growing elderly dependent population
Dependent population
Dependents are people who are not of working age and rely on the economically active population.
A high dependency ratio means more pressure on the working population to support healthcare, education and pensions.
Dependent population — Key Knowledge
- Young dependents under 15
- Elderly dependents over 65
- Dependency ratio number of dependents per 100 working-age people
Population density
The average number of people living in a given area.
Population density is an average — it hides the fact that people are usually unevenly distributed within a country.
Population density — Key Knowledge
- Population density total population ÷ total land area
- Measured in people per km², Densely populated many people per km²
- Sparsely populated few people per km²
Population distribution
The pattern of where people live across an area or country.
Different from density — a country can have low overall density but highly clustered distribution (e.g. Australia).
Population distribution — Key Knowledge
- Population distribution the spread of people across an area
- Usually uneven clustered in some places, sparse in others
- Shown on dot maps or choropleth maps
Physical factors affecting distribution
Natural features of the landscape influence where people settle.
Areas with extreme climates (deserts, polar regions), steep mountains or dense forest tend to be sparsely populated.
Physical factors affecting distribution — Key Knowledge
- Climate moderate temperatures and reliable rainfall attract settlement
- Relief flat, low-lying land is easier to build on and farm
- Water supply settlements cluster near rivers, lakes and fresh water
- Soil fertile soil supports farming and food production
- Natural resources minerals, forests attract settlement
Human factors affecting distribution
Economic, social and political factors also influence where people live.
In most countries, human factors now have a stronger influence on distribution than physical factors.
Human factors affecting distribution — Key Knowledge
- Employment people move to where jobs are — cities, industrial areas
- Transport and accessibility well-connected areas attract more people
- Services healthcare, education, shops
- Political factors government policies, conflict zones, border controls
- Historical factors colonial settlement, trade routes
Case studies required (1.3–1.4)
The spec requires named examples for population structure and distribution.
For each, explain the reasons for the population characteristics using both physical and human factors.
Case studies required (1.3–1.4) — Key Knowledge
- A country with a high dependent population, A densely populated country or area any scale
- A sparsely populated country or area any scale
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Population Structure and Distribution
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