What is the Difference Between Dependent and Productive Population?

The difference between dependent and productive populations lies in their economic contributions and age groups.

• Dependent Population: This refers to the non-working population of a country, which does not contribute towards the economy. This group primarily consists of children under 15 years of age and people aged 65 and over. The dependency ratio measures the number of dependents aged 0-14 and over the age of 65 compared to the total population aged 15-64. A high dependency ratio indicates that the economically active population and the overall economy face a greater burden to support and provide for the social needs of the dependent population.
• Productive Population: This refers to the working-age population, which is responsible for contributing to the country's economy. Productive population is typically defined as the population aged between 15 and 65 years, who are considered economically active.

The dependency ratio is an important demographic indicator that helps in understanding the relative economic burden of the workforce, as well as social and welfare policies. A higher dependency ratio may lead to increased taxes for the working population to support the dependent population. This ratio can also be adjusted to reflect more accurate dependency in societies where people over 64 often require more government assistance than younger dependents.

Comparative Table: Dependent vs Productive Population

The difference between dependent and productive population can be understood through the following table:

The dependent population consists of individuals aged 0-14 and 65+ years, who are typically not in the labor force and rely on others for support. On the other hand, the productive population, also known as the working population, consists of individuals aged 15-64 years who contribute to the economy through various occupations. The dependency ratio is a measure of the number of dependents compared to the total population aged 15-64, and it helps in understanding taxation and government revenue. A lower dependency ratio signifies less burden on the workforce in supporting the non-working population.