SUBJECTS: Math, Science, Social Studies

TOPICS: International Comparisons, Population Pyramids

Resource Overview

Students construct and interpret population pyramids for six different countries in this lesson. By analyzing age and sex distribution, they identify differences in population growth rates, demographic patterns, and developmental stages. This lesson strengthens data literacy, graphing skills, and understanding of global population trends, supporting geography and social studies standards. The activity can be used in on-level classrooms as well as AP Human Geography and AP Environmental Science.

Use this video, alongside our Power of the Pyramids lesson plan, to teach students about this foundational demographic tool. For more details on this lesson, click the green button below.

Audio transcript of Power of the Pyramids lesson plan video


Students draw age structure diagrams for six countries and discuss the three general shapes of population pyramids

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