Triangular and Bee-hive Pyramids

1. Prepared by Ms Lena Teo Teacher’s copy
(1) TRIANGULAR SHAPED PYRAMID
Narrow top indicates a small
proportion of old dependents
iii. Elderly (65 to 80+ years old)
i. Young (0 to 14
years old)
ii. Working population
(15 to 64 years old)
Broad base
represents a
high birth rate
Compare the size of the working population with
the young population:
§ The rectangles of the young population are longer
than the rectangles of the working population.
o This indicates that there are many young
dependents for the working population to feed
WHAT CAUSES HIGH BIRTH RATES?
§ Lack of family planning
§ Early marriages
§ Preference for sons
§ Need for farm labour
§ Religious beliefs (eg. Hindu ceremonies require
sons to perform religious rituals for parents)
CONSEQUENCES (ie. challenges / impacts) OF
HIGH POPULATION GROWTH RATE
§ Higher demand for food, water, housing,
education & jobs
§ Environmental problems (eg. increased pollution)
The high birth rate
leads to a highpopulation growth rate
HOW TO MANAGE A
HIGH POPULATION
GROWTH?
§ Providing education on
family planning (eg. in
India & Bangladesh)
§ Giving incentives to
couples who pledge to
have only one child
(eg. in China)
§ Imposing penalties for
couples with more than
one child (eg.
in China)
WHERE?
Less
developed
countries
(LDCs)
eg India

2. Prepared by Ms Lena Teo Teacher’s copy
(2) BEE-HIVE SHAPED PYRAMID
Broad top indicates an
increasing number of elderly
dependents & low death rate
iii. Elderly (65 to 80+
years old)
i. Young (0 to 14
years old)
ii. Working
population
(15 to 64
years old)
WHAT CAUSES LOW BIRTH RATES?
§ Later marriages
§ Fewer marriages
§ Preference for smaller families as
it is expensive to raise children
CONSEQUENCES (ie. challenges / impacts) OF
A LOW POPULATION GROWTH RATE
§ Ageing population as there will be more elderly
§ Higher taxes for the working population
§ Reduced labour force / smaller talent pool
Low birth rates leadsto a low population
growth rate
HOW TO MANAGE
LOW POPULATION
GROWTH?
§ Extend working life by
increasing the retirement
age (eg. in Singapore)
§ Encourage marriages &
childbearing using
incentives
§ Meet the needs of the
elderly by:
− Building more clinics
and hospitals
− Organize activities to
help the elderly keep
fit
WHERE?
Developed
countries (DCs)
Eg. Singapore,
Australia
WHAT CAUSES
LOW DEATH
RATES?
§ Higher standards
of hygiene
§ Better nutrition
§ Better medical
& health care
Compare the size of the working population
with the young population:
§ The rectangles of the young population
are shorter than the rectangles of the
working population.
o It indicates that there is a decreasing /
low birth rate
There is a large proportion
of working adults to
support the young and old
dependents

3. Prepared by Ms Lena Teo Teacher’s copy
SUMMARY
Type of population pyramid Describe the pyramid Factors
Population
growth rate
Where?
(1) Triangular shaped
i. Broad base reflecting a large number of
young dependents
o High population growth resulting
in more dependents for the working
population to feed
ii. The size of the working population is
smaller than the young population
iii. Narrow top indicating a small number of
old dependents
 High birth rate
(BR>DR)
 Low death rate*
High Less
developed
countries
(LDCs)
(2) Bee-hive shaped
i. Narrow base#
showing a smaller young
population
ii. The size of the working population is
larger than the old and young population
o Indicates that there are more people
working to support the young and
old dependents
iii. Broader top#
(compared to triangular
shaped pyramid)
 Low birth rate
 Low death rate*
Low Developed
countries
(DCs)
* Across the world, birth rates are generally decreasing due to better healthcare and medical advancements (eg. use of vaccines).
#
Broad or narrow depends on which age groups the question asks you to compare.