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HumanGeography

Population Distribution, Density, Dependency Ratio, and Pyramids

April 15, 2014

+ World Population Growth:Is it Sustainable?

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Population Distribution

•A Population Distribution shows the arrangement of people in a given space.•World population distribution is uneven.•Places such as Antarctica or the Canadian Arctic are less habitable and thus, sparsely populated.•Places such as Europe or Canada’s Southern Border offer warmer temperatures, and are thus more densely populated.

What is it?

+ Population Density

Population density is the number of people per unit of area, usually quoted per square kilometer.

Population densities can be calculated for towns, cities, provinces, countries, continents, or the entire world!

What is it?

In comparison…. World population density = 53 people per square kilometer Canadian population density = 3.5 people per

square kilometer

+ World Population Density

# of people per km2

+ Canada Population Density

+BritishColumbiaPopulationDensity

What are the most densely populated areas in BC?

+What is a population Pyramid?

A visual representation of a population structure

It is a graph that displays a population's age and gender composition

Shows number or percentage of males and females in each age group (cohort)

Represents a country’s birthrate and death rate

Represents population growth or decline

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Vertical Axis - Age Groups

Horizontal Axis – Percentage / number

Young dependents

Working population

Elderly dependents

Population Pyramids 101

The population pyramid displays the age and gender structure of a country or given area

Population inFive YearAge bands

Usually, but not always,Given in a percentage to make for easiercomparisons between countries

FEMALESTo the rightMALES

To the left

+ Constructing a Population Pyramid

Cohort Population Percentages, Australia

Age Male Female0-19 15 14

20-39 16 16

40-59 12 12

60 & Over 7 9

+Population Pyramid of a Developing Nation

Population Pyramid of Nigeria

+ InterpretingPopulation Pyramids…A TRIANGLE (BROAD-BASED)POPULATION PYRAMID MEANS:

• Birth rate is high and Death rate is high

• High Infant mortality rate

• Low Standard of Living (low income, poor medical care, inadequate food supply or poor water quality).

+Population Pyramid of a Developed Nation

Population Pyramid of Sweden

+ InterpretingPopulation Pyramids…A DIAMOND (BEEHIVE SHAPED)POPULATION PYRAMID MEANS:

• Birth rate is low and Death rate is low

• Low infant mortality rate

• High quality of life (high income, access to health care, plentiful food supply and good water quality)

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Each pyramid tells a story about the past, present & future of a

country & its people.

Allow easy comparison between population structures

Assist in Policy Planning • future housing estates• future schools• future jobs

WHY ARE POPULATION PYRAMIDS IMPORTANT?

+ Review: Population Pyramids Worksheet

Males Females

A. Drawing a Population Pyramid

+ Review: Population Pyramids WorksheetB. Analyzing a Population Pyramid

2. Which age-sex groups are the largest and smallest?

Largest Age-Sex Group: Male, age 50-54 = 3.9%Smallest Age-Sex Group: Male, age 95+ = 0.03%

3. Compare the percentage of males and females age 70+

There are more females because females live longer.

4. What noticeable/outlying age-sex groups can you identify and what historical events can their significance be attributed to?

High Population aged 45-60 = THE BABY BOOMERS

(born 1950s and 1960s)High Population aged 20-35 = THE BABY BOOM

ECHOERS

(born 1970s and 1980s)

Canadian Population over time

+ Age Structure of Population

The age structure of a population helps us understand the reasons for population change

Populations divided into: Children up to age of 15 Working adults from age 16-64 Adults age 65 and older

This gives the dependency ratio, or proportion of the population being supported by the working age group

+ Age structure of Canada

Children and older people put pressure on society for: Medical, education, housing, etc

1996: Canada population included: 21% children, 12% older adults, so… Dependency ratio of 33%

This means one in every three people in Canada isn’t earning their own money

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How does the population of Canadian Aboriginals compare to that of Non-Aboriginals? Why do you think this is the case?

Think, Pair, Share!!!

Examining Aboriginal DemographicsA Small and Diverse Population

• According to the 2011 Census, there was a total of 1,400,685 Aboriginal people in Canada, comprising 4.3% of the Canadian Population

+ Aboriginal Populationsby Region

Examining Aboriginal DemographicsA Very Young Population

• The Aboriginal population is much younger than the non-Aboriginal pop.

• In 2006, 48% of the Aboriginal population was under the age of 25 compared with 31% of the non-Aboriginal population

• In 2011, the average age ofthe Aboriginal population was27.7 years of age, comparedwith 40.6 years of age for non-Aboriginal people.

Examining Aboriginal DemographicsA Fast Growing Population

• Canada's Aboriginal population is growing faster than the general population, increasing by 20.1% from 2006 to 2011

• This is due to a higher fertility rateamong Aboriginalwomen than amongother Canadianwomen.

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