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Demography: Population, Statistics, Demographics, Census, Concepts And Science

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Published: November 8, 2007

Demography is the science of human populations and all the aspects, concepts and variables associated with it. The aspects or characteristics included in the scope of the science of demography include the density, size, distribution and statistics of the population. Different concepts are also included, such as birth rates, death rates, carrying capacities, emigration rates, immigration rates, life expectancy, gender distribution, fertility rates, socioeconomic status, exponential growths, limiting factors, overpopulation, underpopulation and reproduction ratios.

The three main ideas related to the study of demography are migration, fertility and mortality. Migration is the general term used to describe the movement from one area to another. It may be further classified into emigration and immigration. Another demographic concept, fertility, refers to the capacity to give life. In demography, the fertility rate is the measurement of the number of children per mother. Lastly, mortality is the term used to describe the susceptibility to death.

One of the most useful tools in the field of demography is the census. This is one of the direct methods of gathering the needed demographic data. Performed quite sporadically, the census is described as the certified inventory of a given population. The inventory contains a set of useful information about the members of a specific population. Demography usually bases its studies and findings on the data contained in the periodically acquired inventory. The data included includes significant factors used in different things such as the customary assessment of demographic situations, the constant search for ways to improve the ways of living, the habitual identification of various population dilemmas, regular actions of dealing with population-related problems and the persistent determination of future demographic fashion. The collected data are used in the development of different public policies which will hopefully benefit the community in the future.

Often mistaken as demography itself, the term demographics refers to the statistical representation of the populations in relation to social and economic aspects. The variables used in demographics include age, gender, ethnicity, family background, place of residence, income and salary, education, occupation, religion, marital status, ownership, language, mobility and life cycles. Other variables which may be used for the benefit of demographics are cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, general principles, political views, hobbies and leisure choices, musical inclinations, IQ levels, entertainment preferences, eating behaviors and travel options.

If the study of demography is more concentrated on subject areas such as population structure and change, the application of demography is focused into government, research, media, marketing, advertising, statistics and polls. The importance of demographics is usually associated with business and advertising purposes. By learning about demography, many insightful conclusions can be drawn about the sample community and the way they live.


Sources:
Lundberg, Jan C. "Population growth and road construction: Looking to traditional indigenous ways." Population and Environment. Vol. 17 (1995): 79-87.

"What is Demography?" WiseGeek. 6 Nov. 2007. http://www.wisegeek.com/s/demography.

Crystal, Garry. "How is Census Information Collected?" WiseGeek. 6 Nov. 2007. http://www.wisegeek.com/how-is-census-information- collected.htm.

Cobrda, Wendy. "Free Demographics or Updated Data?." EzineArticles. 13 July 2005. 6 Nov. 2007. http://ezinearticles.com/?Free-Demographics-or-Upd ated-Data?&id=50987.
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