In developing countries, the population age distribution tends to have which characteristic?

In developing countries, the population age distribution tends to have which characteristic?

• A. Majority under age 25
• B. Older population with low birth rates
• C. Even distribution across all ages
• D. Population mostly under 25

Answer: (D)

In developing countries, birth rates tend to be high and more children survive thanks to improvements in health care, so a large share of the population is very young. That creates a population pyramid with a wide base, meaning many people are under 25, and a relatively small number of people who are older. This youth-heavy structure is typical of countries in earlier stages of the demographic transition. It leads to a high dependency on the younger generation now, and, if fertility later falls, the potential for a demographic dividend as more people enter the workforce. The other patterns—an older population with low birth rates, or an even distribution across ages—don’t match the common situation in developing countries.

In developing countries, birth rates tend to be high and more children survive thanks to improvements in health care, so a large share of the population is very young. That creates a population pyramid with a wide base, meaning many people are under 25, and a relatively small number of people who are older. This youth-heavy structure is typical of countries in earlier stages of the demographic transition. It leads to a high dependency on the younger generation now, and, if fertility later falls, the potential for a demographic dividend as more people enter the workforce. The other patterns—an older population with low birth rates, or an even distribution across ages—don’t match the common situation in developing countries.