What is Population Structure?
- Population structure refers to the composition of a population based on age, gender, occupation, education, rural-urban distribution, and other demographic factors.
- It helps in understanding social, economic, and developmental patterns of a country.
📌 Fact: The world population in 2025 is approximately 8.2 billion.
Key Components of Population Structure
1. Age Structure
- Divides population into different age groups.
- Helps in understanding dependency ratio (working vs. non-working population).
| Age Group | Category | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 0-14 years | Young/Dependent | High in developing countries (India, Nigeria). |
| 15-64 years | Working-Age | Major contributor to economic productivity. |
| 65+ years | Elderly/Dependent | High in aging countries (Japan, Germany). |
📌 Fact: Japan has the world’s highest aging population (~30% above 65 years).
2. Sex Ratio (Gender Composition)
- Sex Ratio = Number of females per 1,000 males.
- Global sex ratio (2025) → ~984 females per 1,000 males.
- Normal ratio: 950-1050 females per 1,000 males.
| Country | Sex Ratio (Females per 1,000 Males) |
|---|---|
| India 🇮🇳 | 943 |
| China 🇨🇳 | 926 |
| Russia 🇷🇺 | 1,159 (More women due to male mortality) |
| USA 🇺🇸 | 1,020 |
📌 Fact: Russia has one of the highest female-dominated populations due to higher male mortality rates.
3. Rural-Urban Distribution
- Rural Population → More in developing countries (India, Africa).
- Urban Population → More in developed nations (USA, Europe, Japan).
| Region | Urban Population (%) | Rural Population (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Developed Countries | 80-90% | 10-20% |
| Developing Countries | 50-70% | 30-50% |
| Least Developed Countries | 20-40% | 60-80% |
📌 Fact: Over 56% of the world’s population lives in urban areas.
4. Literacy & Education
- Literacy Rate (%) = Percentage of people (above 15 years) who can read and write.
- Higher literacy rates → Higher economic growth & development.
| Country | Literacy Rate (%) (2025) |
|---|---|
| India 🇮🇳 | 78% |
| China 🇨🇳 | 97% |
| USA 🇺🇸 | 99% |
| Nigeria 🇳🇬 | 62% |
📌 Fact: Global literacy rate (2025) is approximately 87%.
5. Occupational Structure
- Divides population into economic sectors:
| Sector | Examples | Countries Where Dominant |
|---|---|---|
| Primary (Agriculture, Fishing, Mining) | Farmers, Fishermen | India, Africa, Southeast Asia |
| Secondary (Industry, Manufacturing) | Factory workers, Engineers | China, Germany, South Korea |
| Tertiary (Services, IT, Banking) | Doctors, Teachers, IT professionals | USA, UK, Japan |
📌 Fact: Over 70% of India’s workforce is in the primary sector (agriculture, fisheries, mining).
6. Dependency Ratio
- Dependency Ratio = (Young + Elderly) / Working-Age Population × 100.
- Higher ratio → Economic burden on working population.
| Country | Dependency Ratio (%) |
|---|---|
| India | 50% |
| USA | 55% |
| Japan | 70% (Aging Population) |
📌 Fact: Japan’s high dependency ratio is due to its aging population.
Demographic Challenges
1️⃣ Overpopulation → Leads to poverty, unemployment, pollution.
2️⃣ Aging Population → Causes labor shortages & economic slowdown.
3️⃣ Urbanization Issues → Leads to housing shortages & traffic congestion.
4️⃣ Low Fertility Rates → Results in population decline (Japan, South Korea, Italy).
📌 Fact: By 2100, many countries (Germany, Japan, China) may see negative population growth.
MCQs on Population Structure
1. Which age group is considered part of the working-age population?
a) 0-14 years
b) 15-64 years
c) 65+ years
d) 10-50 years
Answer: b) 15-64 years
2. Which country has the highest aging population?
a) India
b) USA
c) Japan
d) Brazil
Answer: c) Japan
3. What is the global literacy rate in 2025?
a) 70%
b) 85%
c) 87%
d) 99%
Answer: c) 87%
4. What does the dependency ratio measure?
a) Urban population
b) Unemployment rate
c) Ratio of dependents to working-age population
d) Birth rate
Answer: c) Ratio of dependents to working-age population
5. Which economic sector dominates in developed countries?
a) Primary
b) Secondary
c) Tertiary
d) Informal
Answer: c) Tertiary
6. What is India’s literacy rate in 2025?
a) 65%
b) 72%
c) 78%
d) 85%
Answer: c) 78%
7. Which country has the highest female-to-male ratio?
a) China
b) Russia
c) USA
d) India
Answer: b) Russia
8. Which sector has the largest workforce in India?
a) Primary
b) Secondary
c) Tertiary
d) Quaternary
Answer: a) Primary
Conclusion
Understanding population structure helps in planning education, healthcare, economy, and development policies. Countries must balance birth rates, employment, and aging concerns for sustainable growth.
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