DEFINITION OF POPULATION
Population may be defined as the
total number of people living in a country or particular geographical area at a
given time. It can also be described as the analytical study of the sex, age
and geographical spread of people living in a particular country. Population
includes all sorts of people such as children, the aged, and the disabled among
others.
Human beings are important part of
economic system; therefore the economists have to know the total number of
people in the country and how they are distributed in terms of age, sex, occupation and
geographical location. This makes it easier for them to know the working population that provides the labour and the consumers who buy goods and services. For instance, in production, the size of population will determine the amount of labour that can be used in a particular production.
geographical location. This makes it easier for them to know the working population that provides the labour and the consumers who buy goods and services. For instance, in production, the size of population will determine the amount of labour that can be used in a particular production.
Mathematical Approach to Population
The data below show an hypothetical
age distribution of the population of a town in Ghana
Sex
|
Age
in years
|
||||
10 and below
|
11-14
|
15-35
|
36-64
|
65
and above
|
|
Male
|
1350
|
2275
|
1135
|
Y
|
3250
|
Female
|
2650
|
2725
|
1365
|
4265
|
Z
|
Total
|
4000
|
X
|
2500
|
7500
|
6000
|
From the above data
a.
Calculate X,Y,Z
b.
The total population of the town
c.
The difference between the population of male and female age a 14 years and
below
d.
The percentage of the population aged 14 and below
e.
The dependency ratio in the town
SOLUTION
a)
X = Male 2275
Female
2725
Total
5000
Y =
Total – Female
7500 –
4265 = 3235
Z =
Total – male
= 6000 – 3250 = 2750
b)
Total population
10 and above = 4,000
11 – 14
5,000
15 – 35
2,500
36 – 64
7,500
65 and above 6,000
25,000
c)
Females of 14 years and below
= 2650 + 2725 = 5375
Males of 14 years and below
= 1350 + 2275 = 3625
Difference between the population of
male and female aged 14 and below
= 5375 – 3625 = 1750
d)
Percentage of population aged 14 years and below
Female aged 14 years and below plus
male aged 14 years and below
=
5375 + 3625 = 9000
4,000 + 5,000 = 9,000
Percentage = 9,000
x 100 = 36%
25,000 1
e)
Dependency ratio =
Population of less than 14 years +
population of more than population of 15 – 35 + population of – 36 – 64 years.
Importance of studying population in economics
11.
Planning: population figures are sources of data which are required by the
government for effective planning and forecasting
22.
Distribution of Natural Resources: Natural resources of a country can easily
and effectively be distributed if the population of the country is known
33.
Labour Availability: population growth rate determines the level of labour
supply. It should be recalled here that in the previous chapter, it was
mentioned that labour is one of the factors of production.