Access free live classes and tests on the app
Download
+
Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA
Login Join for Free
avtar
  • ProfileProfile
  • Settings Settings
  • Refer your friendsRefer your friends
  • Sign outSign out
  • Terms & conditions
  • •
  • Privacy policy
  • About
  • •
  • Careers
  • •
  • Blog

© 2023 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Watch Free Classes
  • NEET 2024
  • NEET Answer Key 2024
  • NEET 2024 Preparation Toolkit
  • NEET Rank Predictor 2024
  • NEET College Predictor 2024
  • Study Materials
  • Notifications
  • NEET Syllabus 2024
  • NEET Question Paper
  • NEET Notes
  • NEET Books
  • NEET Paper Pattern
  • Video Lectures
  • Mind Maps
  • Downloads
  • Difference Between
  • Full Forms
  • Exam Tips
  • MCQs
NEET UG 2026 » NEET UG Study Material » Biology » Age Composition
neetug_toolkit

Age Composition

In population studies, age distribution (also known as age composition) refers to the proportionate numbers of people in various age groups in a population. The fundamental reason for the disparity in age distributions between countries is that fertility numbers and trends differ.

Table of Content
  •  

For example, a population with steadily rising fertility has a high number of children and a small proportion of the elderly. A population with a lower proportion of children and a higher proportion of elderly people, such as France’s, has a lower proportion of children and a higher proportion of elderly people. Changes in fertility have an immediate impact on the number of children, but it takes many years for the shift to have an impact on numbers beyond childhood. As a result, a population with a recent drop in fertility tends to have a limited number of children and elderly people, as well as a big proportion of adults in their middle years.

Sex ratio

The proportionate numbers of males and females who make up a population is another essential structural feature. Males outnumber girls by a small margin (a typical ratio would be 105 or 106 males for every 100 females). Males, on the other hand, are more likely to die at a younger age. This disparity appears to be caused by biological factors. As a example like India, where female death in childhood and during childbearing years may be higher than male mortality due to unequal family resource allocation and poor maternal health care.

Population theories

The function of population size and change in human societies is so important that it has been the topic of millennia of theorising. Many of the ancient world’s leading personalities, as well as most religious systems, had something to say about these issues.In modern times, the subject of demographic change has been central to the development of mercantilism’s politico-economic theory; Adam Smith’s, David Ricardo’s, and others’ classical economics; utopian images such as the Marquis de Condorcet’s cornucopian images; Malthus’ contrasting views on the natural limits imposed on human populations.Most of these theoretical perspectives have included demographic considerations as part of much larger plans. Only a few times have demographic concepts been fundamental, such as in the case of the demographic transition hypothesis, which emerged in the 1930s as a counter to biological explanations for fertility drops at the time.

age composition median age formula

Subtract the lower of the range’s numbers from the greater, then divide the result by two to get the median. Then add this result to the range’s lower number. 

As a example:-

The median age range of 15-19 years is 17, and the median age range of 40-49 years is 44.5.

Population Ratio

Male v/s female, children v/s women of reproductive age, and other population ratios are used to describe the degree of balance between two elements of the population. The ratio is converted to a standard unit of measurement, usually 100 individuals.

The sex ratio is defined as the proportion of males to females in a population (normalized to 100). We determine two sex-ratios: at birth and in the population as a whole.

The sex ratio at birth is roughly 105, which is very usual. The sex ratio in the entire population shifts to 95-97 due to increasing mortality among males. The sex ratio may be higher in populations with high levels of sex-selective outmigration (such as male troops fleeing a country for war), especially in certain age groups (e.g., 15-29).

It’s possible that the sex ratio is even lower.

The following are the sex ratio ranges:

Except in African communities, where it is 102-103, the sex ratio at birth is 105.

Total population sex ratio: 101.5

With considerable male outmigration, the sex ratio for the population 15-49 is 99.9.

World’s Population, By Age Group

The effects of an ageing population on a country’s economy can be far-reaching.

With this in mind, today’s graphic examines the global population’s age composition in 2020, based on the most recent United Nations data.

The world age composition

Because of longer life spans and lower birth rates, the world population is growing older.

More than 147 million persons aged 80 to 99 lived around the world in 2020, representing 1.9 percent of the worldwide population.

Age Group Number of People (2020) % of Global Population

<20 years           2.6 billion                                         33.2%

20-39 years           2.3 billion                                         29.9%

40-59 years         1.8 billion                                         23.1%

60-79 years         918 million                                         11.8%

80-99 years         147 million                                           1.9%

100+ years         0.6 million                                         0.01%

While that percentage may appear little, it represents a significant increase over the 0.05 percent of the population in 1950, indicating that our world now has a significantly bigger proportion of older individuals than it did 70 years ago.

A shrinking workforce and an increase in persons wishing to cash in their pensions are common outcomes of an ageing population. If taxes are hiked, this may put strain on the working class.

Of fact, an ageing population can have both positive and negative effects on society. Senior citizens, for example, are more likely than other age groups to volunteer. Furthermore, studies have indicated that older neighbourhoods have lower crime rates. As Australia’s population ages, the country’s crime rate is predicted to reduce by 16 percent by 2050.

Certain countries are aiming toward more sustainable pension systems to support elderly seniors while relieving burden on the working population in order to alleviate some of the hazards associated with a rapidly ageing population.

Conclusion

In population studies, age distribution refers to the proportionate numbers of people in various age groups in a population. A population with a lower proportion of children and a higher proportion of elderly people, such as France’s, has a lower proportion of children and a higher proportion of elderly people. As a result, a population with a recent drop in fertility tends to have a limited number of children and elderly people, as well as a big proportion of adults in their middle years. Population theories The function of population size and change in human societies is so important that it has been the topic of millennia of theorising. Only a few times have demographic concepts been fundamental, such as in the case of the demographic transition hypothesis, which emerged in the 1930s as a counter to biological explanations for fertility drops at the time.age composition median age formula Subtract the lower of the range’s numbers from the greater, then divide the result by two to get the median. As an example:- The median age range of 15-19 years is 17, and the median age range of 40-49 years is 44.5.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET Examination Preparation.

What is the age composition given as an example?

The composition of different age groups of the population in certain groups is referred to as age composition. For e...Read full

What is the age composition given as an example?

It’s commonly computed by multiplying the number of children aged 0 to 4 (of both sexes) by the number of women of...Read full

is the importance of age composition?

It enables academics and planners to examine socio economic phenomena in their variou...Read full

What are the three basic determinants of age composition?

Three factors determine variations in population age structures across the country, as well as prospective adjustmen...Read full

The composition of different age groups of the population in certain groups is referred to as age composition. For example, there are three age groups: 1.Children 2.Adults 3.Adults 4.Adults 5.Adults 6.Ad (0-14 yrs) 2.Population in the workforce (15-59) 3.Adult (above and 60)

It’s commonly computed by multiplying the number of children aged 0 to 4 (of both sexes) by the number of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and multiplying by 1000.]

Example, in a Columbia district, there are 4895 children under the age of five and 10,100 women aged 15 to 49. (4895/10100) * 1000 = 480 is the CWR.

  • It enables academics and planners to examine socio economic phenomena in their various forms. 
  • Age composition depicts mortality, fertility, marital status, and migration trends and aids in demographic analysis.

Three factors determine variations in population age structures across the country, as well as prospective adjustments in sex composition: fertility, death, and foreign migration.

Crack NEET UG with Unacademy

Get subscription and access unlimited live and recorded courses from India’s best educators

  • Structured syllabus
  • Daily live classes
  • Ask doubts
  • Tests & practice
Learn more

Notifications

Get all the important information related to the NEET UG Examination including the process of application, important calendar dates, eligibility criteria, exam centers etc.

Best Books for NEET UG 2026 – Physics, Chemistry & Biology
How to Prepare for NEET UG 2026 at Home Without Coaching?
Last 10 Years NEET UG Question Papers – Download NEET UG Previous Year Question Paper with Solutions PDFs
NEET UG 2025 Counselling – Schedule, Dates, Fees, Seat Allotment
NEET UG 2026 Registration Date Extension
NEET UG 2026 Registration Process
NEET UG Answer Key 2025 – Download PDF
NEET UG Eligibility Criteria 2026: Minimum Age, Required Codes, and Attempts
NEET UG Exam Analysis
NEET UG Exam Calendar
NEET UG Exam Information
NEET UG EXAM PATTERN 2026
NEET UG Hall Ticket 2026 – Check Steps to Download
NEET UG Marking Scheme
NEET UG Previous Papers Analysis
NEET UG Registration Fees
NEET UG Results 2025 (OUT): Download Link @neet.nta.nic.in, NEET Score card
NEET UG Syllabus 2026
NEET UG Syllabus 2026 with Chapter-wise Weightage
See all

Related articles

Learn more topics related to Biology
Zygote

In this chapter we will discuss zygote definition, formation of zygote, development of zygote and much more.At last we will discuss some important questions related to this topic.

Zoology

Zoology is the branch of biology that is concerned with the study of the animal kingdom. It is the scientific study of all of the species of the animal kingdom as a whole, including humans.

Zoological Park

This article gives you an insight into the zoological parks, the advantages and disadvantages of zoos and much more.

Zinc

In this article we were going to learn about the topic of Zinc in detail with examples and uses.

See all
Access more than

9,257+ courses for NEET UG

Get subscription

Trending Topics

  • NEET Preparation Tips
  • NEET 2024 Preparation Tips
  • How to Prepare for NEET from Class 11?
  • How to Prepare for NEET?
  • NEET 2024
  • NEET Syllabus 2024
  • NEET Question Paper
  • NEET Exam Pattern
  • NEET Notification
  • NEET Exam Calendar
  • NEET Results
  • NEET Eligibility
  • NEET Preparation Books
Download NEET Formulas

NEET Previous Year Question Papers

  • NEET 2022 Question Paper
  • NEET 2021 Question Paper
  • NEET 2020 Question Paper
  • NEET 2019 Question Paper
  • NEET 2018 Question Paper
combat_neetug

Related links

  • NEET Study Materials
  • How Many Attempts for NEET
  • How Many Marks Are Required in NEET for MBBS
  • Living World NEET Questions
  • MBBS Full Form
  • NEET Full Form
  • Physics NEET Syllabus
freeliveclasses_neetug
Download NEET 2023 question paper
Company Logo

Unacademy is India’s largest online learning platform. Download our apps to start learning


Starting your preparation?

Call us and we will answer all your questions about learning on Unacademy

Call +91 8585858585

Company
About usShikshodayaCareers
we're hiring
BlogsPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
Help & support
User GuidelinesSite MapRefund PolicyTakedown PolicyGrievance Redressal
Products
Learner appLearner appEducator appEducator appParent appParent app
Popular goals
IIT JEEUPSCSSCCSIR UGC NETNEET UG
Trending exams
GATECATCANTA UGC NETBank Exams
Study material
UPSC Study MaterialNEET UG Study MaterialCA Foundation Study MaterialJEE Study MaterialSSC Study Material

© 2025 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA

Share via

COPY