Vanusegruppe

Vanusegruppe is a term used in demography and social sciences to describe a segment of the population defined by age. The concept functions as a practical way to analyze and compare groups within a population, recognizing that age can influence behavior, needs, and policy considerations. Spelling and usage vary between languages, and in English the equivalent term is generally “age group.”

Definitions and grouping methods differ by context. Age bands are often constructed to fit the purpose of the analysis, for example 0–4, 5–14, 15–24, 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, and 65+. In education, health care, and labor markets, groups may be narrower or broader depending on the policy question. Some classifications distinguish infants, children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and seniors, while others rely on specific institutional categories such as students, workers, retirees, or dependents.

Uses and applications. Vanusegruppe is central to policy planning (education demands, healthcare provision, pension systems), market research (product targeting by life stage), and sociological studies (intergenerational dynamics, consumption patterns). Besides policy, researchers analyze how age structure interacts with migration, fertility, and mortality to shape a country’s demographic profile.

Data and limitations. Age-group analysis relies on data from censuses, surveys, and vital statistics. While useful for simplifying complex populations, grouping can obscure variation within groups and may mask cohort-specific effects. Definitions of age bands should be clearly stated, as they influence comparisons across studies and over time.

See also: age structure, demographic segmentation, cohort effect.