age dependency ratio

The age dependency ratio is a measure that compares the number of people typically not in the workforce (the young, usually aged 0-14, and the elderly, typically aged 65 and older) to the number of working-age individuals (usually aged 15-64). It helps assess the economic pressure on the productive population. A higher ratio indicates more dependents per worker, which can strain resources and social services. Conversely, a lower ratio suggests a larger working population supporting fewer dependents, potentially leading to greater economic stability and growth.