Population Pyramids Case Study

Insight into a countries population characteristics are an integral component into understanding the social and economic progression of a nation. There are several population elements in particular that offer a more in depth understanding of a countries demographic outlook; such as age and sex demographics, fertility and mortality rates, and annual population growth. There are several other demographic factors of which aren’t discussed that provide furthered intensive understandings into the demographic topic that link into the mentioned population subjects, such as immigration and emigration. In addition, the understanding of such features creates the basis for informed future political decision making, policy development, and planning processes

There are three categories of population pyramids; expanding, stable, and contracting. A comparative observation of the 1990 population pyramid for the selected developed countries show a somewhat contractive demographic environment for both male and females. With all countries showing a considerable tapering off after the age bracket of 40 – 44 and relatively average life expectancy levels there on after. They also display signs of a steady decrease in birth rates as the person’s age in the 0 through to 14 age brackets sustain a similar level of people; with the United States being a slight exception as there are signs of an increasing birth rate in the 0 – 4 age column. The 1990 population pyramids for the selected developing countries display an expanding population trend. What this demonstrates is that these nations had a predominately younger population with high birth rates with low life expectancy levels as the population numbers severely taper off from birth. A notable observation of the population pyramids for both developed and developing European countries, and to an extent Australia and the United States of America, is the impact of World War I from the age of 70 onwards. The result has left a significant dent in the male populations and the feminisation of the 70-74 age bracket and onwards as a consequence

Total fertility Rates (TFR) are defined as the estimated number of children born to a single women throughout their fertile life time; data is usually based between the ages of 15 to 50. Within the 25 year timeframe the developed nations display a constant number of children born to a single woman. The data displays that all three developed nations have a TFR of around 2. This can be used to describe why the three developed nations show a relatively consistent population pyramid base in 2015. The selected developing nations are seen to have comparatively higher TFR’s in 1991. However, all three nations have displayed a steady decline in TFR’s, with the two of the three nations (Brazil and Turkey) showing a reduction to around two child per women from 1991 to 2015. This places their TFR’s at first world standards and explains the 2015 population pyramid trends of a declining child population. Of particular concern however is Nigeria, as the 1990 data shows that within a Nigerian woman’s lifetime she is projected to produce 6 to 7 children; 2015 data reveals a drop to around 5. These confounding statistics explain the constantly expanding population pyramid figures, as well as why the Nigerian population displayed the most rapid rise in population out of the other countries from 1990 to 2015. This TFR analyses