Final answer:
The age structure of a population can tell us about population fluctuations in birth rates, potential for population growth, and reproductive success.
Step-by-step explanation:
The age structure of a population can tell us about population fluctuations over time in terms of birth rates in the population, potential for population growth, and reproductive success.
The age structure is the proportion of a population in different age classes, and it allows for better prediction of population growth. Countries with a pyramidal shape in their age structure diagrams, showing a preponderance of younger individuals, tend to have rapid population growth. On the other hand, areas with slow growth have a pyramid structure with a greater proportion of older individuals.
For example, underdeveloped countries often have a pyramidal age structure with a high birth rate and limited life expectancy due to less-than-optimal living conditions. In contrast, developed countries may have a more conical age structure with lower birth rates and a higher percentage of middle-aged and older individuals.