demographic

Demographic is an adjective relating to the characteristics of a population. As a noun, it can refer to demographic information or the demographics, the statistical attributes that describe a specific group, such as its size, composition, and geographic distribution.

Common demographic variables include age and sex, as well as race, ethnicity, income, education, occupation, religion, language, and place of residence. Other factors such as migration status, household size, and urban versus rural location are frequently used in analysis.

Demographic data are collected from sources such as national censuses, population registers, surveys, and administrative records. These data support public policy, urban planning, health and social services, market research, and economic forecasting by revealing current profiles and likely trends.

Demographic analysis examines population size and structure, fertility and mortality rates, aging, and migration. Projections rely on assumptions about future birth rates, death rates, and movement, and they help planners anticipate needs for housing, schools, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Ethical and methodological considerations include privacy, data quality, representativeness, and the potential for undercounts among marginalized groups. Analysts must guard against bias and misinterpretation when applying demographic information.

Demography is the scientific study of populations, while the term demographic often refers to the attributes of a particular group or the statistical categories used to describe it.

Businesses, governments, and researchers use demographic information to segment populations, target services, and monitor changes over time.