DTM and age-sex composition

What is population structure and how can it be depicted?

What is population structure and how can it be depicted?

- The age distribution and sex composition of a population.
- It can be depicted through population pyramids which show a snapshot of population at any given time.

Why are population pyramids useful?

They can provide insights into past and current population trends, such as changes in fertility, mortality and international migration.

What three categories can a population be classed as depending on each group's economic productivity?

- Ages 0-14: young dependent population
- Ages 15-64: economically active population
- Ages 65+: elderly dependent population

What are the young dependent and elderly dependent groups known as?

The 'non-economically active population'. They are dependent on the economically active population (parents/family/pension) to ensure they have a means of living.

How can the level of dependency in a country be measured?

Young dependents (0-14) + Elderly dependents (65+)/Economically active (15-64)

What is a dependency ratio and what does it not take into account?

The dependency ratio shows how many dependents there are for every 100 economically active people. It does not take into account those who are unemployed.

What are the problems associated with a youthful population?

- Governments need to keep up with the demand for schooling.
- Increased pressure on maternal and childcare/ education facilities.

What are the potential benefits of a youthful population?

- Cheap workforce attracts foreign investment
- Resources are provided for the elderly population
- Can foster growth/development if there are favourable political and economic conditions (think demographic dividend!)

What are the problems associated with an ageing population?

- Increased healthcare costs
- Fewer people are economically active so economic growth and overall standard of living decreases
- Pension cost increases

What are the benefits of an ageing population?

- Fewer people of working age so less unemployment
- Some elderly still work or volunteer
- Some pensions are healthy and affluent- growth in the leisure, tourism, private healthcare and residential care sectors