The pyramid has a wide top and tapers slowly indicating a large proportion of elderly dependents. This is due to declining death rates and increased life expectancy caused by:

• State and private pensions allow older people to live more comfortably and pay for heating in cold winters

• Improved diets which help improve immune systems

• Better standards of living - better housing and insulation

• Specialised housing (e.g. Care and nursing homes)

• Advances in geriatric and community care

The pyramid has a uniform shape and filled out sides indicating a high percentage of working population and a low death rate, this is caused by:

• Widespread and accessible healthcare (e.g. medicines and trained doctors)

• Improved food production and storage

• Better Sanitation with most houses now having access to internal hot water, toilets and showers compared to 50 years ago

• Improved hygiene

• A greater level of education to protect against diseases and dangers

It has a narrow base indicating a low proportion of young dependents this is due to low/falling birth rates caused by:

• Changing status of women, more likely to choose a career over having lots of children

• Greater access to contraception

• Increased family planning

• Materialist lifestyles children are expensive and people may feel they cannot afford a child

• Increased mechanisation reduces the need for labour

• Improved standard of living

• Lower infant mortality rate