Page 28 - Year 8 Spring 2026 Knowledge Organiser

Geography: Population: 3 of 3

Population structure means the number / proportion of people in each age range, for each gender. Population pyramids show the population
structure of the country they represent.

There are three groups on a population pyramid:

Economically active – 16-65 age
group, working age and can
provide taxes.

Young dependents – 0-15 age
range, rely on the working age for
support via taxes.

Elderly dependents – 65+ age
range, rely on the working age for
support via taxes.

Application: The UK’s Ageing Population

Causes Impacts
1. Better health care so illnesses are treated with some success. 1. 2/3s of hospital beds taken by those over the age of 65, this can increase
2. Better diet means heart attacks and diseases related to unhealthy eating are waiting times, putting pressure on the NHS.
on the decline. 2. They receive a state pension causing a significant cost for the government.
3. Fitness; the elderly are looking after themselves better than ever before, e.g. 3. The elderly often look after grandchildren, this means that parents do not have
attending the gym etc. to pay expensive childcare costs, so parents have more disposable cash.