We explain what demographics are, how they are classified, their importance and other characteristics. Also, what is demographic data.
What is demographics?
The demographics It is the science that studies human populations statistically that is, based on numerical data and calculations that allow analyzing various aspects such as the size, density, distribution and vitality rates of a population.
The statistics it uses are obtained through scientific evidence instruments (databases, surveys, censuses and others).
The Arab Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406) is considered the founder of demography for being the first to include statistical data in his research. He was followed by the German Johann Peter Süssmilch (1707-1767) and the British John Graunt (1620-1674) and Thomas Robert Malthus (1766-1934) for their important contributions to the discipline.
Demographic characteristics
Demography analyzes a wide variety of data about a population (age, sex, race, etc.) according to certain variables, such as:
- The size. It refers to the total number of individuals and is also called “absolute population.”
- The density It refers to the average number of inhabitants per square kilometer of a territory.
- The distribution It refers to the number of concentration levels of inhabitants in the different regions of a population.
- Vitality rates It refers to the statistical number of births, fertility, migrations, mortality, etc.
Types of demographics
There are two general types of demographics that are usually related in an investigation:
- Static. It is the statistical analysis that examines the size (set of inhabitants) and structure (made up of variables of age, gender, race, etc.) of the population at a given moment in time.
- Dynamic. It is the statistical analysis that analyzes the variation of factors over time, such as birth rate, fertility, migrations and emigrations, population aging, etc.
Importance of demographics
Contemporary demography deals with analyzing the most diverse problems, such as:
- The “demographic explosion”.
- The interaction between the population and its economic development.
- The effects of birth control.
- Urban congestion.
- Illegal immigration.
- The workforce.
The statistical analysis of these problems provides conclusions that allow you to improve decision making and make forecasts on certain issues, for example, around health, social customs or economic policies.
Demographics
Demographics are indicators that allow a population to be investigated statistically such as age, gender, race, marital status, income, profession, socioeconomic level, etc.
Depending on the objective of the analysis, demographic data are interrelated with other disciplines or general variables such as biometrics, psychometrics or genetics, to understand health states, IQ, genetic code, among other characteristics of the population.
You may be interested in: Population growth
References
- “Demography” on Britannica.com
- “Demographic tools” in Demografia.rcm.upr.edu
- «Demography» in UGR.es
- «What is demographics?» at Suda.su.se
- “Demographics” on Ryte.com