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population pyramid — English
A graphic representation of the structure of a specific human population. Only two population variables (characteristics, properties) are used to construct (draw) such a population pyramid, namely gender and age. Although a population pyramid is a relatively simple representation, it carries a myriad of crucially important information (see “population growth”). So from very basic, easily obtainable demographic data extremely important information about a population can be conveyed and deduced. Perhaps it is even more important that population pyramids afford scientists an easy, visual basis for comparisons between the main characteristics of different populations. From a population pyramid one can immediately read both absolute numbers as well as proportional figures and calculate indices (indexes). Absolute numbers such as of individuals in the different age or gender groups of the population, and the proportions of the economically dependent population (see “development” and “developing countries”), the age distribution of the population, the gender composition of the population, the infant mortality, the life expectancy of the population, and a number of other variables (characteristics) of the specific population can be deduced from a population pyramid. It is one of the most commonly used and useful geographical representations on which to base comparisons between different populations (see “demographic data”). Even popular lay publications like Time often use it.
