Demography: dependency ratio: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Demography: dependency ratio

Sample item

A population has 28% of people aged 0 to 14 years, 64% aged 15 to 64 years and 8% aged 65 years or more. What is the total dependency ratio, per 100 persons of working age?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. About 56

The total dependency ratio is the number of dependants (under 15 and 65 and above) per 100 persons aged 15 to 64. Here (28 + 8) / 64 x 100 = 56.25. The young-age component is 28/64 = 44, and the old-age component is 8/64 = 12.5.

Option by option

  • A. About 13

    13 is the old-age dependency ratio alone, ignoring children.

  • B. About 36

    36 is the sum of dependants as a percentage of the total population, not of the working-age group.

  • C. About 56 (correct)

    (28 + 8) / 64 x 100 gives about 56 dependants per 100 workers.

  • D. About 44

    44 is the young-age dependency ratio alone, ignoring older dependants.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, About 56. The total dependency ratio is the number of dependants (under 15 and 65 and above) per 100 persons aged 15 to 64.

Why is "About 13" not the answer?

13 is the old-age dependency ratio alone, ignoring children.

Why is "About 36" not the answer?

36 is the sum of dependants as a percentage of the total population, not of the working-age group.

Why is "About 44" not the answer?

44 is the young-age dependency ratio alone, ignoring older dependants.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Demography: dependency ratio in PSM. Here (28 + 8) / 64 x 100 = 56.25. The young-age component is 28/64 = 44, and the old-age component is 8/64 = 12.5.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Demography: dependency ratio?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.