populationstruktur

Population structure refers to the composition of a population by demographic characteristics, most notably age and sex. It describes how many people occupy each age group, the balance between males and females, and how these patterns change over time. Population structure is shaped by fertility, mortality, and migration, and it influences social and economic planning, health needs, and the size of future generations.

Key indicators include the age distribution, sex ratio, life expectancy, and dependency ratios. Population pyramids visualize the combined age–sex structure, while urban–rural distribution and education levels can also be informative for policy analysis.

Data come from censuses, vital statistics, and surveys; projections use cohort‑component models that apply fertility, mortality, and migration assumptions to age–sex cohorts to forecast future structure.

Policy implications depend on the direction of change. Aging populations increase demand for pensions and healthcare and may reduce the labor force, while youthful populations require investments in education and jobs. Migration can rapidly alter structure and urbanization shapes geographic distribution.

Globally, high‑income regions tend toward older, slower‑growing populations, whereas many developing regions remain younger with higher fertility. Recognizing population structure helps governments plan for schools, housing, healthcare, and the long‑term sustainability of social protection systems.