Charts 3.1 & 3.2. Composition of Population in
Low- and High-income Economies, 1995

1. Study the information in Chart 3.1 for low- and high-income economies in 1995. Then, answer the following questions about the population trends shown. 

1. In low-income countries, which age range(s) contained the largest percentage of the population? the lowest?
2. In high-income countries, which age range(s) contained the largest percentage of the population? the lowest?
3. In a brief statement, compare the age composition of the populations for low- and high-income countries for 1995.
4. Considering your answer to question 1c, what type of social programs might be important to meet the future needs of the largest age groups of each country income group?

2. Study the information in Chart 3.2 for low- and high-income economies in 2025. Then, answer the following questions about the population trends shown.

1. In low-income countries, which age range(s) contained the largest percentage of the projected population? the lowest?
2. In high-income countries, which age range(s) contained the largest percentage of the projected population? the lowest?
3. Compare the age composition of the populations for low- and high-income countries shown in Chart 3.2 with those shown in Chart 3.1.
4. Compare the gender composition for low- and high-income countries shown in Chart 3.2 with those shown in Chart 3.1.

3. Read the definition of population momentum in the glossary. Using Charts 3.1 and 3.2 as a reference, in which economic groups and years do you think this phenomenon exists? Why?

4. Look at the shapes of the charts in Charts 3.1 and 3.2. What would a stabilized population look like? Explain.

5. What impact might population momentum have on the care of small children in a country where a large proportion of the childcare duties are performed by daycare centers? What about a population where elderly relatives provide childcare? Who are the caretakers of small children in your country? What effect might population momentum have on these arrangements?

6. What impact might an aging population have on the care of elderly people in a country where a large proportion of these people live in nursing homes or elderly housing? How are elderly people cared for in your country? What impact might an aging population have on this care?

7. Match each of the following descriptions with the country below that illustrates the trend described.

1. The death rate is high, the birth rate is high, and there are a large number of children in the population.
2. There has been a sustained decline in the birth rate, but the proportion of the elderly population has not yet become large.
3. The birth rate has been low for a long period, and the elderly proportion of the population is increasing.

Answers

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