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Chapter 9: Problem 5

To use a life table to project population growth, what assumption must be made regarding the age-specific rates of survival \(\left(s_{x}\right) ?\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The key assumption when using a life table to project population growth is that the age-specific rates of survival (s_x) remain constant over time.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Age-Specific Rates of Survival (s_x) and Life Tables

Age-specific rates of survival (\(s_x\)) refer to the probability of surviving from age x to age x+1. Life tables are a statistical tool used by demographers to study survival rates and life expectancy of populations. They are created by combining data on age-specific death rates and population sizes.
02

Projecting Population Growth Using Life Tables

To project population growth using life tables, we need to make projections about the future age-specific rates of survival. This is usually done by calculating the number of survivors in each age group in the future, based on the present age-specific rates of survival and the number of people currently in each age group.
03

Identifying the Key Assumption

When using a life table to project population growth, the critical assumption that must be made is that the age-specific rates of survival (\(s_x\)) remain constant over time. This means that the probability of surviving from one age to the next does not change in the future. This assumption simplifies the projection process but may not always accurately represent real-world conditions, as factors such as advancement in healthcare, changes in living conditions, and other factors may impact survival rates.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What environmental factors might result in random yearly variations in the rates of survival and birth within a population?

How can the value of net reproductive rate for a population \(\left(R_{0}\right)\) be used to assess whether a population is increasing or declining?

Identify two factors that could possibly cause a population to decline to extinction. How might these factors be influenced by population size?

What is a life table, and what information (data) is required to construct one?

How do the gross reproductive rate and the net reproductive rate differ?
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