Demography

Definition

Demography is the statistical study of populations, including their size, structure, and distribution. It involves analyzing data related to birth rates, death rates, migration patterns, and age distributions to understand population dynamics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Demographic studies often use life tables to summarize survival and reproductive rates at various ages.
2. The age structure of a population can significantly influence its growth rate and stability.
3. Birth rates and death rates are primary factors impacting population size over time.
4. Population density refers to the number of individuals per unit area or volume.
5. Migration can cause significant changes in population demographics by altering age structures, birth rates, and death rates.

Review Questions

• What is the role of life tables in demography?
• How does the age structure of a population affect its growth rate?
• What are the primary factors that impact population size?

Related terms

Life Table: A table showing mortality and survival data for different age groups within a population.

Age Structure: The distribution of individuals among different ages in a population.

Population Density: The number of individuals living per unit area or volume.