Population Pyramids

Population pyramids are used to graphically illustrate the ages of a population. It shows the general life expectancy as well as whether a population is in growth or decline. The closer that a population pyramid resembles a barrel, with a wide middle, the more likely it is that the population has a growing life expectancy and lower birth rate, representing a developed country. A population that is very triangular represents a country that is still developing, and is typical of third world countries. (BBC, 2012)

Let's examine some countries' population pyramids and how they fit into the mix. First, third world or undeveloped countries. 

Here's Afghanistan:

And here's Rwanda:

Now developed countries, here's Sweden:

And finally, Canada:

(United States Census Bureau, 2012)

The shapes obviously differ from Rwanda and Afghanistan, adopting the mentioned triangle shape rather than the barrel shape. Now let's examine a population pyramid for Natuashish:

Which pyramid does the Natuashish one most resemble? And how does it compare to all of Canada? Why are there such serious discrepancies for a Canadian community?

BBC. (2012). Population Change and Structure. Accessed on November 14, 2012 at http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/population/population_change_structure_rev1.shtml

United States Census Bureau. (2012). International Database. Accessed on November 14, 2012 at http://www.census.gov/population/international/data/idb/region.php