Question

Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:

Age Composition There are three basic determinants of age composition of a population. These includes natality (fertility), mortality, and mobility. According to Clarke (1972), these three determinants of age structure are interdependent, and any change in one of these may influence the other two. Through these variables, socio-economic conditions influence the age structure. It is fertility rate that determines the proportion of population in different age categories. That is why, the countries of Latin America, Africa, and Asia, which are characterised by high birth rates, display large proportion in young age groups. In most of the countries of these continents, about two-fifth of population is below 15 years of age. In India, 36% of its population is below 15 years, according to 2001 census. By contrast, the countries with low fertility rate and longer life expectancy have about one fourth of their population in the younger age groups. But the proportion of population in the older age groups in these countries is relatively large. Most of the countries of Northwestern Europe and North America, CIS countries, Australia, and Japan belong to this category. A continuous downward trend in fertility contributes to the increase in the proportion of population in older age.

Questions:

1. What are basic determinants of age composition?
2. Which continent has large proportion of young age group?
3. According to 2001 census, what is the percentage of population aged below 15 years in India?
4. Which factor is responsible for increase in old age group?

Answer 1

1. The basic determinants of age composition are migration, birth rate, and death rate.
2. A significant portion of the population in Asia, Africa, and Latin America is young.
3. In India, 36% of the population is under the age of 15, according to the 2001 census.
4. The decline in fertility is causing an increase in the elderly population.