ProcedurePart I: Provide a thumbnail sketch of population data.
Complete the following chart by adding data for the United States.
Madagascar
United States
Age Structure (1999 est.)
0-14 years
15-64 years
65 years and over
7,600,000
7,700,000
490,000
Population growth rate
2.8 %
Infant Mortality Rate
89.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy
male 52.0 years
female 54.5 years
Part II: Calculate percentages of age structure in the two
populations.
To complete the chart below you must calculate percentages. To calculate a
population percentage, divide the number of people in a given age bracket by
the total number of people in the population and multiply this ratio by a
hundred. The total number of people when you add up the numbers in Part I is
15,790,000. For example, in Madagascar for the 0-14 age group the percentage is
given by :
7,600,000 x 100 = 48%
15,790,000
Madagascar
United States
Age Structure (1999 est.)
0-14 years
15-64 years
65 years and over
48%
Part III: Create pie and bar graphs.
Present the percentage data in Part II in pie-chart and in bar-graph form
using the graph paper, compass, ruler, and colored pencils. Make two pie
charts: one representing the age distribution in Madagascar and one
representing the U.S. population. Each chart should have a title and the
percentage numbers written in the pie wedges. Represent the data in bar-graph
form using red and blue pen to distinguish the two countries.
If you were to present this data to an audience which graph type would you
choose and why?
Part IV: Consider implications of the above information.
As you look at the above information, what are some of the major differences
you see in population dynamics between the United States and Madagascar?
In terms of the population dynamics, what are some of the major challenges
each country faces?
What government policies would you recommend that each country adopt to
alleviate some of the problems caused by that country's age population
distribution? Describe the policy and how it would help. Be sure to include
cost considerations as you decide on your recommendations.
