Age structure and demographic dividend

Age structure — how a population splits into children, workers and the elderly — shapes everything from school demand to savings. The dependency ratio compares dependants (ages 0-14 plus 65+) with the working-age population (15-64): a high ratio means each worker supports many dependants. The demographic dividend is the growth boost available when fertility falls: the working-age share rises, dependency falls, and (if jobs, education and savings channels work) output per capita rises faster. Worked example: with 30 children, 60 working-age people and 10 elderly (per 100), the dependency ratio is (30 + 10)/60 = 0.667, i.e. about 67 dependants per 100 workers.