2. Responses to high and low fertility

Question 1

Dependency ratio

Answer 1

the ratio of the number of people under 15 and over 64 years to those 15-64 years of age.

Question 2

Youth dependency ratio

Answer 2

the ratio of the number of people 0-14 to those 15-64 years of age.

Question 3

Elderly dependency ratio

Answer 3

the ratio of the number of people aged 65 and over to those aged 15-64 years.

Question 4

Ageing ratio

Answer 4

the proportion of people 65 years old and over to the total population.

Question 5

Median age

Answer 5

the age at which half the population is younger and half is older.

Question 6

Ageing population

Answer 6

a rise in the median age of a population which occurs when fertility declines while life expectancy remains constant or increases.

Question 7

Population policy

Answer 7

When a government has a stated aim on an aspect of its population and it undertakes measures to achieve that aim.

Question 8

Pro-natalist policy

Answer 8

a population policy that aims to encourage more births through the use of incentives.

Question 9

Anti-natalist policy

Answer 9

a population policy designed to limit fertility through the use both of incentives and deterrents.