Question

What is meant by age composition of population?

Answer 1

Hint:The structure and composition of population is a study from a demographic perspective. Age is also the central concept in demography. Demography is the study based on certain factors like age, sex, race, occupation,income , level of education etc.

Complete step by step answer: The composition of population is referred to the distribution of population by age and sex. Age is an important factor while studying demography. With age demographic behaviour starts to vary and the population of a particular age is interconnected with the population of other age groups.
Demography divides the population into the following age groups:
- young adolescents and children(0-14 years old)
- the working age population (15-65 years)
- the elderly population(60 years and above)
Age composition refers to the economical value of a population. The age group of 0-14 and above 60 years years is known as the dependent population, the group of 15-65 years is called the working population. The higher the proportion of the working population in a country, the more it is advantageous for the economy. In India the population which is above 60 years is rising. This is an indication of increased life expectancy and lower death rates.
The term ‘Demographic gap’ refers to the difference between the birth rate and death rate of a population. The population pyramid refers to the graphical illustration in which the age groups are shown along with the gender of the population. India is the second most populated country and it is estimated that it will surpass China by 2024.

Note: The analysis of demography can help us to understand the education, economy, religion, nationality, ethnicity of a society. Census is a common and direct method of calculating demographic data. Indirect methods include historical demography, or asking people. The factors that might affect the composition of population are: fertility, mortality and migration.