Ålderkategori

Ålderkategori is a Swedish term for the classification of people based on age. It serves as a practical tool in statistics, policy-making, education, and organized activities by grouping individuals into defined age ranges rather than treating age as a continuous variable. The choice of ranges reflects social, economic, and administrative considerations and varies over time and context.

Demographic studies use age categories to describe population structure, monitor trends, and forecast needs. Commonly cited bands align with life stages, such as children, adolescents, working age adults, and older adults, but exact boundaries differ by country and purpose. This variability means that comparisons across datasets require care.

In sports and organized activities, age categories determine eligibility and grouping to balance competition and safety, for example youth divisions and masters events. In public services and policy, age categories help determine access to education, healthcare, pensions, and benefits. In market research, they support segmentation and targeted communication.

Limitations include the risk of masking heterogeneity within categories and reinforcing stereotypes. Age categories are approximate and change as people age. Data collection must consider privacy and accuracy, especially for overlapping identities and life events that shift category membership.