A population pyramid with a large elderly population indicates which type of dependency?

A population pyramid with a large elderly population indicates which type of dependency?

• A. High youth dependency
• B. High old-age dependency
• C. Balanced age structure
• D. Low life expectancy

Answer: (B)

The main concept tested is how the age distribution shown in a population pyramid signals who relies on the working-age population. A pyramid with a large elderly population means many individuals are in the older age groups, so a larger share of dependents are senior citizens. Those dependents rely on people in the working ages for income and care, which is old-age dependency. The other patterns would show differently: high youth dependency would appear as a broad base with many young children; a balanced age structure would have a more even spread across ages; and low life expectancy would result in comparatively fewer elderly people. Therefore the interpretation is high old-age dependency.

The main concept tested is how the age distribution shown in a population pyramid signals who relies on the working-age population. A pyramid with a large elderly population means many individuals are in the older age groups, so a larger share of dependents are senior citizens. Those dependents rely on people in the working ages for income and care, which is old-age dependency. The other patterns would show differently: high youth dependency would appear as a broad base with many young children; a balanced age structure would have a more even spread across ages; and low life expectancy would result in comparatively fewer elderly people. Therefore the interpretation is high old-age dependency.