8.1.7—Age-sex pyramids
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Objective
- 8.1.7
- Level
- HL
Read Shape Before Explaining It
An age-sex pyramid is a snapshot of population composition: age groups run vertically, the two sexes sit on opposite sides, and width shows number or percentage.
Start with shape before causes. A broad base signals many young people; a wider upper section signals more older people. The diagram describes structure, not automatically a DTM stage or forecast.
A pyramid that narrows sharply above age 60 has fewer older people relative to the base; a column-like shape has more similar-sized age groups.
The population is relatively youthful; you cannot yet infer the cause or exact DTM stage.
Do not explain a pyramid’s cause before describing its axes and shape.