Population Structure

Question 1

What are the demographic variables (structure) of a population?

Answer 1

• age
• gender
• economically active: ppl between 15-65, that contribute to economy through labour
• dependents:
  
  • not working, so doesn’t contribute to economy
  • split into young dependents (under 15) + old dependents (over 65)
  • dependent on contributions of economically active to provide for them/economy

Question 2

What is the dependency ratio?

Answer 2

• relationship between eco. active ppl + dependents (non-working pop.)
  
  • high dependency ratio = high proportion of dependents to eco. active so usually indicates there’s more pressure on working pop. as more ppl to provide for
• in LICs: more young dependents
• in HICs: more = balance between young + old dependents

Question 3

What is the formula for calculating the dependency ratio?

Answer 3

• dependency ratio = % of young dependents + % of old dependents
  /% of eco. active ppl

Question 4

Why is the dependency ratio a very rough indicator?

Answer 4

• in HICs:
  
  • few ppl leave education before 18 + many go to uni + won’t get a job before 21
  • some ppl retire before 65 + other work beyond this age
• in LICs:
  
  • sig. proportion of children work full or part-time before 15
  • some have v. high unemployment + underemployment in eco. active age group