Chapter 4, Problem 35A

Summary Introduction

To describe:

The advantages and disadvantages of a population that has the given type of age structure.

Introduction:

Age structure is an important characteristic of any population. There three age groups, pre-reproductive stage (below 20), reproductive stage (20-44 years), and post-reproductive stage (above 44 years). The age structure of population contains number of males and females in each reproductive stage.

Explanation of Solution

The given age structure of the population depicts rapid growth. In the given data, the male and female population in post-reproductive age is too less, and male and female population of pre-reproductive age is too high. There are advantages as well as disadvantages of such age structure.

Advantages −

In the given age structure, the population of elderly people is too low. So, the money government has to spend on medical facilities, pensions, old age home, and other facilities are saved. This is because, old population is dependent on youth and government for their survival and care. So, the government fund and youth’s money is spend on taking care for this portion of population.

Disadvantages −

In the given age structure, the population has very high percentage of pre-reproductive stage. This stage is also dependent on reproductive age population. The education and feeding for them is all done by youth above 20 years of age. Moreover, for this large amount of population, government needs to look for various job opportunities and create many jobs. Otherwise, a large section of population will be unemployed.