demography
C1Formal, Academic, Technical
Definition
Meaning
The study of human populations, particularly their size, structure, distribution, and changes over time due to births, deaths, and migration.
The statistical data relating to populations and their characteristics, often used for planning in areas like health, education, and business.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term 'demography' is often used interchangeably with 'population studies'. It's a core social science that overlaps with economics, sociology, and geography. The focus is on measurable, quantitative data.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Usage patterns and institutional names differ (e.g., Office for National Statistics vs. Census Bureau).
Connotations
Slightly more associated with social policy and public health in UK contexts; slightly more associated with political redistricting and market analysis in US contexts.
Frequency
Slightly higher relative frequency in British English academic contexts, reflecting the UK's strong tradition in social policy research.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The demography of [PLACE/GROUP]demography indicates/shows/suggests that...according to the latest demographychanges in demographyan expert in demographyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The demography is destiny.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for market segmentation, location planning, and forecasting consumer trends. Example: 'The company's expansion strategy is based on the favourable demography of the Southeast.'
Academic
Central to sociology, geography, public health, and economics research. Example: 'Her thesis applies advanced statistical models to historical demography.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; appears in news about aging populations or migration. Example: 'The article discussed how the town's demography has changed with the new university.'
Technical
Precise use in government planning, actuarial science, and epidemiology. Example: 'The epidemiologist cross-referenced disease incidence with local demography.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- To demograph a region requires extensive census data.
- They are demographing the borough to plan school places.
American English
- We need to demograph the county before the retail launch.
- The team demographed the city's neighbourhoods.
adverb
British English
- The population was analysed demographically.
- Demographically speaking, the region is stable.
American English
- They studied the city demographically.
- Demographically, the district is diversifying.
adjective
British English
- The demographic trends are clear.
- She presented a demographical analysis.
American English
- The demographic shift is significant.
- He is a demographic researcher.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A country's demography is about its people.
- Demography uses numbers about births and deaths.
- The government studies demography to plan for schools and hospitals.
- Changes in demography can affect the economy.
- Urban demography focuses on the populations of cities and their changing structures.
- The demography of the workforce is shifting towards older age groups.
- Advanced demography employs sophisticated models to forecast population ageing and its fiscal implications.
- The monograph provides a rigorous analysis of the interplay between migration patterns and regional demography.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DEMO (people) + GRAPHY (writing/study) = the study of people (populations).
Conceptual Metaphor
A population as a living, breathing organism that grows, ages, moves, and transforms.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'демография' always referring to the academic discipline; in Russian, the word can also mean 'census poster/pamphlet'. The English word is strictly the science/data.
Common Mistakes
- Using as a plural (e.g., 'different demographies' is rare; prefer 'different demographic profiles').
- Confusing 'demography' (the study/data) with 'demographics' (the characteristics themselves).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the PRIMARY concern of demography?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Demography' is the scientific study of human populations. 'Demographics' refers to the statistical characteristics of a population (e.g., age, income) or the data itself.
No. While counting (censuses) provides the raw data, demography involves analyzing patterns (birth, death, migration rates), modeling future trends, and understanding the causes and consequences of population change.
Primary sources include national censuses, vital registration systems (birth and death certificates), and migration records. Surveys and administrative data (e.g., from healthcare) are also crucial.
It allows for evidence-based planning: governments use it for pensions, healthcare, and education infrastructure. Businesses use it to identify markets, plan logistics, and forecast labour supply.
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