2.3 Population Composition and Pyramids

Vocabulary flashcards covering Topic 2.3 Population Composition, including population pyramids, age cohorts, dependency ratio, basic pyramid shapes, and demographic characteristics of less developed countries.

Population Pyramid

An age-sex diagram representing population structure, displaying males on the left and females on the right in 5-year age cohorts.

Age Cohort

A 5-year age group used to divide a population on a population pyramid.

Dependency Ratio

A demographic measure comparing the size of the number of dependents to the total working-age population (ages 15-64) in a population.

Working-Age Population

The demographic segment defined as ages 15-64 used to measure the dependency ratio.

Three Basic Shapes of Population Pyramids

The structural shapes used to analyze growth patterns: the triangular 'Christmas Tree' (rapid growth), rectangular 'The Box' (slow/no growth), and inverted 'The Cup' (negative growth).

"Christmas Tree" Shape

A triangular population pyramid shape indicating rapid growth, typical of Less Developed Countries (LDCs) such as those in Sub-Saharan Africa.

"The Box" Shape

A rectangular population pyramid shape indicating slow or no growth in a population.

"The Cup" Shape

An inverted population pyramid shape indicating negative growth, typical of more developed countries.

Less Developed Country (LDC) Demographics

Demographic profile characterized by a high Crude Birth Rate (CBR), an average of 5+ kids, and a shorter life expectancy.