Composition of population

Composition of population refers to the arrangement of population according to the social characteristics like age, sex, religion, occupation and martial status. Composition of population is based on the division of social hierarchical relations. The study of population composition is very important from various points of view. They are enlisted below:

* It helps to find out the structure of population on the basis of social status.
* It helps to government and other organizations to launch the programmes and make plans and policies.
* Population composition is the pillar of demographic study. It is the base of many theories related to population.
* In some cases, special programmes should be launched for backward and deprived people. Population composition helps in it.
* Population composition helps us to know how the social organization are formed. We can know about the diversity in religion, castes and many other social structures.
The composition of population is studied according to caste, religion, age, sex, occupation, language etc. Composition of population on the basis of various charestericities is given below:
Composition of population by age
Age composition of population refers to the study of population on the basis of various age group. There are three major divisions in age composition of people.
- 0-14 years
- 15-59 years
- Above 60 years
Among these age groups, 15-59 years is known as economically active population. The other two age groups are inactive or dependent population. The age composition of population helps us to know how many people are small children, how many of them are old and how many belong to reproductively fecund age group also. But it makes the study lengthily. Therefore, demographers have made the study quinquennial.
Composition of population by sex

The structure of population on the basis of male-female distinction is known as sex composition of population. Sex composition of population can be studied in regard to how many males and how many females live in a country.

Sex composition of population helps us to know about the arrangement of population on basis of male-female distinction. It helps to make plans and policies related to upliftment of female.