A district has a population distribution of: 0 to 14 years, 300,000; 15 to 64 years, 600,000; 65 years and above, 100,000. What is the dependency ratio?

• A 40 dependents per 100 working-age persons
• B 66.7 dependents per 100 working-age persons ✓
• C 60 dependents per 100 working-age persons
• D 83.3 dependents per 100 working-age persons

Explanation

The dependency ratio equals the population aged 0 to 14 plus those aged 65 and above, divided by the population aged 15 to 64, multiplied by 100. Here the dependent population is 300,000 plus 100,000, giving 400,000, and the economically productive group is 600,000. The ratio works out to (400,000 divided by 600,000) times 100, which is 66.7. Option A results from omitting the elderly group, a common error when students equate dependency with childhood dependence alone.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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