A demographic survey of a developing country records the following age structure: 18{}000{… — JAMB UTME

A demographic survey of a developing country records the following age structure: $18{}000{}000$ individuals under 15 years of age, $2{}000{}000$ individuals aged 65 years and above, and $30{}000{}000$ individuals in the economically active age bracket of 15–64 years. Based on these data, what is the total dependency ratio of the country?

$66.7\%$ Answer
B
$150.0\%$
C
$40.0\%$
D
$60.0\%$

Answer

The total dependency ratio of the country is

66.7\%

The dependency ratio measures the number of dependents (aged 0–14 and 65+) relative to the working-age population (aged 15��64). Summing the non-working population (

18{}000{}000 + 2{}000{}000 = 20{}000{}000

) and dividing by the working population (

30{}000{}000

) gives

\frac{20{}000{}000}{30{}000{}000} \times 100 = 66.7\%

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the total dependent population (youth population under 15 years + elderly population 65 years and above).

Total Dependents =

18{}000{}000 + 2{}000{}000 = 20{}000{}000

Both age groups under 15 and 65+ constitute the economically non-working dependent population.

Identify the economically active (working-age) population (aged 15 to 64 years).

Working-age population =

30{}000{}000

The dependency ratio measures the burden carried by the productive age group.

Apply the standard formula for Total Dependency Ratio:

\text{Dependency Ratio} = \frac{\text{Total Dependents}}{\text{Working Population}} \times 100

\text{Dependency Ratio} = \frac{20{}000{}000}{30{}000{}000} \times 100 = 66.67\% \approx 66.7\%

This yields the correct percentage of dependents supported per 100 working-age individuals.

Key Concept

Demographic Dependency Ratio

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