The population pyramid of all races and ethnicities for a certain state in the United States is shown below. Which of the following statements best describes the population of this specific state?

Question

The population pyramid of all races and ethnicities for a certain state in the United States is shown below.  Which of the following statements best describes the population of this specific state?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ec160b_3715_5952_9249_3d17d48c59e3_MD0001_00 A population pyramid displays the percentage of individuals in each age cohort to describe the current population profile, and to project how the population will increase/decrease in the future. Every population pyramid is unique, but most fit into one of three general categories. Expansive populations have high birth and mortality rates and short life expectancies. Therefore, they show a larger percentage of people in younger cohorts (ie, graph has a broad bottom and narrow top). These populations are young and growing, and their pyramids characterize many developing countries. Stationary populations have declining birth rates, low mortality rates, and long life expectancies. Therefore, they show a somewhat equal percentage of people in each age cohort (ie, graph has a somewhat rectangular shape). These populations are stable (ie, neither growing nor shrinking), and their pyramids are characteristic of many developed countries. Constrictive populations have significantly low birth and mortality rates and long life expectancies. Therefore, they show a smaller percentage of people in younger cohorts (ie, graph has a narrow bottom). These populations are shrinking, and their pyramids are characteristic of very advanced countries with a high level of literacy, easy access to birth control measures, and exceptional health and medical resources. In this question, the population pyramid has a rectangular shape that tapers off significantly only in the advanced age cohorts. This indicates that the population has gone through a decline in both birth and mortality rates, resulting in a longer life expectancy (Choices A and E). When a population reaches a balance between its birth and mortality rates (ie, rectangular shape), it is neither growing nor shrinking; therefore, it is a stable population (Choice B). (Choice C) A small proportion of older cohorts (eg, age ≥75) is expected in any population; this tapering off at the top of the pyramid occurs due to a natural increase in age-related mortality rather than migration of older people. Educational objective: There are three types of population pyramids: expansive (ie, young and growing population; high birth and mortality rates), stationary (ie, stable population; declining birth rates and low mortality rates), and constrictive (ie, shrinking population; significantly low birth and mortality rates).

The Population Pyramid of All Races and Ethnicities for a Certain