Which term defines the ratio of young and elderly dependents to the working-age population?

The term that defines the ratio of young and elderly dependents to the working-age population is known as Dependency Load. This concept is crucial in understanding the demographic structure of a population. The dependency load helps identify how many individuals are potentially dependent on the working-age population for support, which typically includes those aged 0 to 14 (young dependents) and those aged 65 and over (elderly dependents).

This ratio is significant because a high dependency load can indicate that there may be economic strain on the working-age population, as fewer workers are supporting more dependents. Additionally, policymakers use this metric to plan for future services like education and elder care, as shifts in the demographic structure can impact social services, economic growth, and resource allocation.

Population Density refers to the number of people living per unit area and does not directly relate to age demographics. Growth Rate measures the rate at which a population is increasing or decreasing, while Net Migration Rate pertains to the difference between the number of people entering and leaving a country, which does not address the age-related dependency of a population. Thus, the concept of Dependency Load encapsulates the relationship relevant to the question effectively.