Demographic Transition Model Questions Medium
The dependency ratio in the Demographic Transition Model is influenced by several factors. These factors include:
1. Birth rate: The number of births in a population affects the dependency ratio. Higher birth rates lead to a larger proportion of young dependents, such as children, in the population, resulting in a higher dependency ratio.
2. Death rate: The death rate also plays a role in the dependency ratio. Higher death rates can lead to a larger proportion of elderly dependents in the population, increasing the dependency ratio.
3. Life expectancy: The average lifespan of individuals in a population affects the dependency ratio. Higher life expectancy means a larger proportion of elderly dependents, contributing to a higher dependency ratio.
4. Fertility rate: The fertility rate, which measures the average number of children born to women of childbearing age, influences the dependency ratio. Higher fertility rates result in a larger proportion of young dependents, increasing the dependency ratio.
5. Migration: Migration, both in and out of a population, can impact the dependency ratio. In-migration of working-age individuals can reduce the dependency ratio, while out-migration of working-age individuals can increase it.
6. Government policies: Government policies, such as family planning programs or social security systems, can influence the dependency ratio. Policies that encourage smaller family sizes or provide support for the elderly can affect the proportion of dependents in the population.
These factors interact with each other and vary across different stages of the demographic transition model, leading to changes in the dependency ratio over time.