New
New
Population structure
I can interpret and analyse population pyramids.
Lesson 5 of 12
New
New
- Year 7
Population structure
I can interpret and analyse population pyramids.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A population pyramid shows the age and gender balance for a country.
- A wider base on a pyramid means that there is a high birth rate.
- The taller a pyramid is, the greater the life expectancy.
- Bulges in population pyramids show years where there was a baby boom.
Keywords
Population pyramid - a graphical representation of age and gender distribution in a population
Birth rate - the number of live births per 1000 people per year
Life expectancy - the average number of years a person is expected to live
Common misconception
All population pyramids are pyramid-shaped.
Population pyramids can have different shapes depending on demographic factors. Some may be more rectangular or even inverted, reflecting various population structures.
Give students some figures and graph paper to draw their own population pyramids.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which area in the UK has a lower population density?
Which area in the UK has a lower population density?
London
South-east England
Manchester
Q2.How can topography affect population density in the UK?
How can topography affect population density in the UK?
Flat areas attract fewer people
Mountains are more densely populated
Topography has no effect on population distribution
Q3.Which of these factors is commonly associated with higher population density?
Which of these factors is commonly associated with higher population density?
Limited access to transportation
Harsh climate
Steep terrain
Q4.What is internal migration?
What is internal migration?
Moving from one country to another
Moving for vacation purposes
Moving temporarily for work
Q5.Which city in the UK has the largest population?
Which city in the UK has the largest population?
Birmingham
Manchester
Edinburgh
Q6.Why do fewer people live in mountainous regions like the Scottish Highlands?
Why do fewer people live in mountainous regions like the Scottish Highlands?
The climate is extremely hot
The flat terrain allows fewer settlements
Lack of water resources
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What does the shape of a population pyramid with a wide base and narrow top typically indicate?
What does the shape of a population pyramid with a wide base and narrow top typically indicate?
High birth rate and high life expectancy
Low birth rate and low life expectancy
Low birth rate and high death rate
Q2.In a population pyramid, what does a narrow base suggest about the country’s birth rate?
In a population pyramid, what does a narrow base suggest about the country’s birth rate?
High birth rate
High death rate
Low life expectancy
Q3.Which axis on a population pyramid shows the age groups?
Which axis on a population pyramid shows the age groups?
X-axis
Z-axis
The title axis
Q4.What does a bulge in a specific age group on a population pyramid indicate?
What does a bulge in a specific age group on a population pyramid indicate?
Low birth rate
Increased life expectancy
High death rate in that age group
