Population pyramids activity
Curriculum links
Maths
Levels 3 and 4: Statistics
Level 3: Number
Social Studies
Levels 3 and 4
- Culture and heritage
- Social organisation
Resources
Teaching points
The most important demographic characteristic of a population is its age-sex structure. A population pyramid (also known as an age-sex pyramid) is used to show the characteristics of a population – the number or percentage of males and females in different age groups (usually in 5-year age groups). When the population is plotted in this way, the graph looks like a pyramid because there are generally more younger people than older people. The 2006 Census Education Resource provides both detailed information and classroom activities to develop student understanding about population pyramids.
Population pyramids are also useful because they tell us about population change. By comparing population pyramids from different years you can tell whether the population is changing over time – for example whether the population is getting younger or older.
Answers for activities
Note: When calculating percentages for total population, questions students must add both sides, then divide by 2 to get an answer. Each side totals 100 percent for each sex.
1. These will vary according to class levels.
2. 40-44, female, slightly over 8 percent (very closely followed by 40–44-year-old males).
3. The median age group for New Zealand females is 35–39 years.
4. 12.3 percent are aged 65 years and over.
5. 21.5 percent are aged 15 years and under.
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