Use the data in the table below to answer the questions that follow;
| Age group | No of Students in thousands | |
| 1955 | 1960 | |
| 0 – 16 | 150 | 143 |
| 17 – 45 | 51 | 107 |
| 46 -60 | 29 | 33 |
| above 60 | 15 | 17 |
(a) What is the percentage increase in the working population between 1955 – 1960?
(b) Calculate the ratio dependent population to the working population in 1955.
(c) Calculate the ratio of dependent population to the working population in 1960.
(d) Has the dependency ratio increased or decreased between 1955 and 1960?
Explanation
(a)Total working population in 1955 = 51 + 29 = 80
Total working population in 1960 = 107 + 33 = 140
The difference in working population = 140 - 80 = 60
Percentage increase = \(\frac{60}{1}\) x 100 = 75%
(b) Dependant population in 1955
0 - 16 = 150
above 60 = 15
165
Working population in 1955 = 51 + 29 = 80
Ratio of dependent population = \(\frac{165}{80} = \frac{33}{16}\) = 33:16
(c) Dependant population in 1960
0 - 16 = 143
above 60 = 17
160
Working population in 1960 = 107 + 33 = 140
Ratio of dependant population = \(\frac{160}{140} = \frac{8}{7}\) = 8:7
(d) Dependency ratio decreased between 1955 and 1960.