The pie chart below shows the age distribution of population in thousands of an island Y for the year 2000 The total population of the island is 245,000.
Use the information supplied to answer the questions that follow (Show all workings clearly)
(a) Calculate the number of persons in the different age groups
(b) What is the dependency ratio of the population?
(c) Give three implications of the above population structure
Explanation
Age Group 0 - 16years
\(\frac{220 }{360}\) x \(\frac{245.000 }{1}\) = 149,722 20
Age Group 17 — 45 years
\(\frac{75 }{360}\) x \(\frac{245.000 }{1}\) = 51,041 70
Age Group 46 — 60 years
\(\frac{43 }{360}\) x \(\frac{245.000 }{1}\) = 29.26380
Age Group 60 + years
\(\frac{22}{360}\) x \(\frac{245.000 }{1}\) = 14,972 20
Dependency ratio = \(\frac{149.722.20 + 14.972.20}{51 ,041 70 + 29,26390}\) = \(\frac{164.694.40}{80,305 60}\) = 14,972 20
= 2.1 (2 to 1) (2: 1 to 1)
(c) Implications of population structure:
(i) Increased demand for goods and services required by the youth and old ones because they form the large percentage of the population.
(ii) If the items required by the young and old ones are not produced locally, there will be increased importation and resultant strain on the balance of payment.
(iii) Low level of savings and investment because of the high dependency ratio.
(iv) Increased taxation and borrowing by government to meet increased demand for consumable items because the taxable population is small.
(v) High prospective labour force because of the large proportion of young ones. (vi) The current labour is low.