Canada: 35.1%

younger = 15.1%           older = 20%

Canada has a similar total dependency load as Korea, only about a few percent less. Its 35.1% load is mostly made up of those aged 65 and older. Canada has the middle total dependency load. 

Guinea: 44.3%   

younger = 40.8%           older = 3.5%

There is a major increase in total dependency load in Guinea, compared to the other countries. Its load is 44.3%, with most of it being 14 years old and younger. Guinea has the largest load.

Korea: 30%  

younger = 10.7%           older = 19.3%

Korea has the smallest total dependency load compared to the two other countries. Its total load is 30%, and most of the load is those aged 65+ and older, like Canada.

From the 0-4 age cohort and the bottom of the pyramid, Canada seems to have a low birth rate compared to the other countries. The rate may be slightly higher than Korea’s rate, but it is much lower than Guinea’s rate. The base of the pyramid is slightly bigger than Korea’s base but much smaller than Guinea’s base. It is right in the middle, but is still quite narrow, so the birth rate would be low or small.

As seen from the bottom parts of the pyramid, Guinea has a high birth rate. It is the highest compared to the two other countries. The base of the pyramid is very wide, its 0-4 cohort percentage for both genders reaches the 7% range, while Korea and Canada are in the 1-2% range. Guinea has the highest birth rate and the highest of the three countries.

Similar to Canada, the base of Korea’s pyramid is very narrow. It is narrower than Canada’s, which shows Korea has an extremely low birth rate, the lowest rate. The percentages in the 0-4 cohort are in the 1% range, showing there are very few children. Korea has an extremely low birth rate and the lowest of the three countries.

In Guinea’s age 75+ part of the pyramid, the percentage is very low compared to Korea and Canada. Guinea has a low life expectancy, there being very few people in the population being aged 75 and above. It has the lowest life expectancy compared to the other two countries.

 From the top of the pyramid, the aged 75+ section, there is a spread of percentages showing Canada has a high life expectancy. The aged 75+ part of the pyramid is very similar to Korea, but Canada seems to have a few percent more, meaning Canada has the highest life expectancy.

Similar to Canada, Korea’s pyramid shows a spread of percentages. Korea has a high expectancy only being a bit lower than Canada. It is in the middle, however there is much more than Guinea.

Canada’s high life expectancy is most likely credited to the free and accessible healthcare system implemented. These services may help people live longer and live better. Seniors are also able to access retirement income, medication, and a lot of perks, leading to a healthy and longer life.

Canada’s total dependency load may be due to the long life expectancy people experience, making it so that many people reach 65 years of age or older. However, the low percentage of those 14 and younger may be because of the decline in birth rate.

Additionally, this information tells us about our world situation. It is helpful and important to know what problems are happening and what needs to be done. It is important for our future in regards to seeing where each country's population is headed, and so we can prepare to best accommodate! If we find solutions to our problems now using this information, if the same problems arise, we can solve them quickly.

Guinea’s low life expectancy may be because of poor healthcare and the overall lack of hospitals, doctors, and medicine. Seniors in Guinea may also feel more inclined to keep working and supporting their families, so retirement is not as significant.

Guinea´s total dependency load may be because of the high birth rates and low life expectancy!!

Korea’s high life expectancy is likely due to the good healthcare system. Traditional Korean food is also known to be healthy, so it may contribute to the care. 

Korea´s total dependency load would have to relate to the low birth rate and high life expectancy!!

Birth rate: The number of births per 1000 people per year.

Life expectancy: The average years a person is expected to live.