Choose two countries in which to examine age structures. Choose countries that interest you, but also countries that you believe have different age structure shapes (i.e., one country that is growing, in population size and one that is shrinking or remaining stable in size) so that you can compare some basic demographic parameters. Identify each country and answer the following questions for each country. Before you answer these questions, you should make sure you understand what the terms mean by clicking on them. Do not use the U.S., Mexico, or Canada as these are the examples I used in class.
For the analysis, select Population Pyramid Graph to answer I and Demographic Overview to answer questions 2-7. Note: You can run your analyses for both countries and multiple years. For example, you can select 1995, 2014, 2025 and 2050 by holding down CTRL while selecting each year.
1. What is the current shape of the age structure for each country? Use the book and the class notes as a guide. Sketch them or copy the image and insert the image into your document.
2. How does the total fertility rate change for each country in the four time periods (1995, 2015, 2025 and 2050)? Why?
3. How does life expectancy change for each country in the four time periods? Why?
4. Do migration patterns change for each country in the four time periods?
5. What is growth rate for this country in the four time periods? This is r converted to percent (r *100). What the trend in growth for these countries?
6. Using the data you recorded in 2-4 as well as any other pertinent information (e.g., infant mortality rates), what could explain the differences in r through time for each country you observed in question 5?
7. What are the consequences for a country that is experiencing rapid population growth? What are the consequences for a country that is experiencing population decline?
