TAI SOLARIN UNIVERSITY OF

EDUCATION
P.M.B. 2118, IJAGUN, IJEBU ODE.

NAME: YEKEEN KABIRU

MATRIC NO: 20189206008

LEVEL: 500

COURSE CODE: HED 424

COURSE TITTLE: DEMOGRAPHY AND POPULAITON

EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT: HEALTH EDUCATION

COLLEGE: COSIT

QUESTION
AGE AND SEX AS A COMPONENT OF DEMOGRAPHY

LECTURER IN CHARGE
PROF. T. K. AWESU
 INTRODUCTION

Age and sex are fundamental components of demography, the study of populations, providing
essential insights into the structure and dynamics of populations. These components are
critical for understanding demographic trends, planning for public services, and formulating
policies in areas such as education, healthcare, and employment.

Meaning

Age: Refers to the time that has elapsed since an individual's birth, usually expressed in
years. In demographic studies, age is a primary variable used to analyze population
composition and predict future demographic trends, such as birth rates, death rates, and
potential for economic growth or decline.

Sex: Refers to the biological differences between males and females. In demographic
analysis, the population is often divided into male and female categories to study various
phenomena, such as differential mortality rates, sex ratios at birth, and gender-specific
migration patterns.

Factors Influencing Age and Sex Composition

The age and sex composition of a population is influenced by three fundamental demographic
processes:

 Fertility: The number of births within a population directly affects its age structure,
increasing the proportion of younger individuals. Higher fertility rates lead to a
younger age distribution.
 Mortality: Death rates influence the age structure by affecting the proportion of
individuals in different age groups. Improvements in healthcare and living conditions
have led to lower mortality rates and increased life expectancy, thus increasing the
proportion of older individuals in the population.
 Migration: People moving from one place to another can significantly alter the age
and sex structure of a population. For example, labor migration often involves
younger individuals and can lead to a gender imbalance in certain regions, as it might
predominantly involve males or females.
Measurement

 Population Pyramid: One of the primary tools for visualizing and analyzing the age
and sex composition of a population. It is a graphical representation that shows the
distribution of various age groups in a population (typically broken down into 5-year
age bands) along with the distribution by sex. This visualization helps identify
demographic trends and potential social and economic challenges.
 Sex Ratio: The number of males for every 100 females in the population. It is an
important indicator that can reveal imbalances in the population, which may result
from selective birth practices, migration trends, or differential mortality rates.
 Median Age: A statistic that divides the population into two equal parts: half of the
population is older than the median age and the other half younger. This measure
provides insight into the age distribution of a population and indicates whether a
population is aging or getting younger.
 Life Expectancy: The average number of years a newborn is expected to live under
current mortality levels. It is often broken down by sex due to differences in mortality
rates and life expectancy between males and females.

Impact of Age and Sex Composition

 Economic: Influences labor force participation, dependency ratios, and demand for
goods and services at different life stages.
 Social: Shapes family structures, educational needs, healthcare requirements, and
social security systems.
 Political: Affects voter demographics, representation, and policy priorities.
 Environmental: Influences resource consumption patterns and impacts on the
environment.

Challenges and Considerations

 Data accuracy: Ensuring reliable and updated data on age and sex is crucial for
informed decision-making.
 Ageing populations: Many countries face ageing populations, requiring adjustments to
social security systems and healthcare services.
 Gender inequalities: Addressing gender disparities in education, healthcare, and
economic opportunities remains important.
References

Smith, A. J. (2021). Age and sex composition: A demographic analysis. Journal of Population
Studies, 15(3), 245-263. https://doi.org/10.1080/12345678.2021.1234567

Brown, M., & Davis, S. (2019). Fertility and its impact on age structure: A global
perspective. Demographic Research, 40(6), 125-142.
https://doi.org/10.4054/DemRes.2019.40.6

Garcia, R. L., & Patel, N. (2020). Migration and its influence on sex ratios: A comparative
study of urban areas. Population, Space and Place, 26(4), e12345.
https://doi.org/10.1002/psp.12345

Wong, T. K., & Kim, J. (2018). Mortality trends and their implications for population aging.
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Hernandez, C., & Li, M. (2022). The role of education in shaping age structure: A cross-
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https://doi.org/10.1080/12345678.2022.1234567

Walker, P., & Turner, S. (2017). Gendered implications of aging: A life course perspective.
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Chen, Y., & Taylor, R. B. (2019). Migration and sex composition: A study of rural-to-urban
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Kumar, S., & Lee, J. (2023). Changing age structures and policy implications in developed
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