If the middle section of a country's population pyramid is broad while the base is relatively narrow, which conclusion is appropriate?

Correct answer: The working-age population is large and new child cohorts are relatively small

The middle part of a population pyramid generally represents people in working ages, while the base represents the youngest children. A broad middle therefore suggests that the working-age population is large. A relatively narrow base means that recent child cohorts are smaller, usually because the birth rate or fertility has declined. Together, these features describe a population with many potential workers and fewer newly born children. They do not prove that the elderly are the largest group, because the top of the pyramid has not been described.

The shape gives two separate clues that support option A. The wide middle identifies a large working-age group, and the narrow base indicates relatively low recent births. A country with this structure may have lower child dependency and a possible demographic dividend, provided that people can find productive work. It would be wrong to choose high fertility, because high fertility usually produces a broad base. Thus, the most appropriate conclusion is that the working-age population is large while new child cohorts are relatively small.