Glossary
Population pyramid
Population pyramid is a chart showing the size of each age band, split by sex, stacked from youngest at the bottom.
Reading one
A true pyramid — wide base, narrow top — means high fertility and a young population. A column means fertility near replacement. An inverted pyramid means more old people than children.
The world pyramid is no longer a pyramid. Under-15s and 15–29s are now roughly the same size, for the first time in recorded history.
More terms
A rise in births caused by a large previous cohort reaching childbearing…
The share of a population living in areas classified as urban.
The share of ten-year-olds unable to read and understand a simple story.
Total enrolment at a level of education, regardless of age, as a…
The measurable advantage held by children born early in their school year…
Whether a child has the self-care, attention and communication skills to cope…