Using a Population Cartogram to Teach Demographics in the Classroom

The website Our World in Data has a fantastic population cartogram that I printed out as a large poster and hung in my classroom. As a social studies teacher, population and demographics are key topics I return to throughout the year. Understanding demographic data is essential for governments planning infrastructure, businesses identifying markets, and societies managing limited resources and environmental challenges. This population cartogram is a visually compelling way to bring these abstract concepts to life.

Unlike a traditional map, the cartogram distorts the size of each country based on its population rather than land area. Each small square represents 500,000 people. Countries like China and India, with over a billion people each, dominate the visual space. Smaller countries with high population densities, like Bangladesh or the Philippines, are suddenly very prominent. Meanwhile, geographically large but sparsely populated nations like Canada or Australia appear much smaller than they do on a traditional map. This distortion opens up rich opportunities for student inquiry.

Based on this visual, I have a simple lesson plan that works well for both middle and high school students, though it may need to be adapted depending on your class’s age and ability level. Here it is.

🔍 1. Map Warm-Up (5–10 minutes)

I ask students: “What do you notice? What surprises you?”

I let them silently observe the map for a minute or two, then share initial thoughts in pairs.

Some common first impressions:

·       “Why is Russia so small?”

·       “I didn’t know Nigeria had that many people!”

·       “Where is Canada?!”

This sparks curiosity and helps students become comfortable with visual data.

🌍 2. Think-Pair-Share: Population vs. Geography (10–15 minutes)

Students then pick two countries:

• One that appears larger than expected

• One that appears smaller

They research the actual land size and population of both and reflect on:

• Why the cartogram makes the country look the way it does

• How population affects a country’s influence, economy, or challenges

📊 3. Group Task: Global Challenges and Population (15–20 minutes)

In small groups, students choose one of the following global challenges:

·       Climate Change

·       Access to Education

·       Food Security

·       Urban Growth

·       Migration

They must answer:

·       How does population size relate to this issue?

·       What countries might be most affected?

·       What can governments or societies do to respond?

Each group shares a quick 1–2 minute summary of their insights.

✍️ 4. Exit Ticket / Reflection (5 minutes)

Students respond to one or both prompts:

·       What’s one insight you gained about global population today?

·       Why does understanding population matter for your generation?

If you're teaching geography, economics, sustainability, or global issues, I recommend using this cartogram. You can download it from Our World in Data here.

Print it big, hang it up, and let the questions begin!