Concepts of Population Structure, Density, and Census
Population Structure
Population structure also known as population distribution is the classification of a country's population
according to age, sex, occupation and geographical structure.
Age Distribution: Age distribution this is the breaking down of a country's population into age groups.
It shows the number of people in different age groups such as
0 - 17 years (dependent population)
18 to 60 years (active or labor force or working population)
60 years and above (dependent population)
Those in the first and third group are children and old people who cannot contribute to the labor force
because they are either too young or too old. The second group is regarded as the most active
population of a country because they involve in productive activities or employment.
Importance of age distribution of population
1. It helps us to determine the dependency ratio.
2. It determines the size of the labor force.
3. It determines the standard of living of a country's citizens.
4. It determines the birth and death rate in a country.
5. It determines the production pattern in a country.
6. It determines the government budget provisions.
Effects of increase in population of dependants
1. The standard of living of Citizens will be low.
2. There will be no savings by the working population.
3. There will be increase in government expenditure on goods and services needed by children and
old people. e.g. schools and hospitals.
4. The dependency ratio will be high.
5. There will be increase in imports and decrease in exports.
Sex distribution
Population Structure
Population structure also known as population distribution is the classification of a country's population
according to age, sex, occupation and geographical structure.
Age Distribution: Age distribution this is the breaking down of a country's population into age groups.
It shows the number of people in different age groups such as
0 - 17 years (dependent population)
18 to 60 years (active or labor force or working population)
60 years and above (dependent population)
Those in the first and third group are children and old people who cannot contribute to the labor force
because they are either too young or too old. The second group is regarded as the most active
population of a country because they involve in productive activities or employment.
Importance of age distribution of population
1. It helps us to determine the dependency ratio.
2. It determines the size of the labor force.
3. It determines the standard of living of a country's citizens.
4. It determines the birth and death rate in a country.
5. It determines the production pattern in a country.
6. It determines the government budget provisions.
Effects of increase in population of dependants
1. The standard of living of Citizens will be low.
2. There will be no savings by the working population.
3. There will be increase in government expenditure on goods and services needed by children and
old people. e.g. schools and hospitals.
4. The dependency ratio will be high.
5. There will be increase in imports and decrease in exports.
Sex distribution
