Correct answer: (d) Working population of 15 to 59 years
Explanation
- A
Working population of above 60 years
Option (a) claims the demographic dividend consists of the working population above 60 years of age. However, this age group typically represents the elderly or retired population, which is considered a dependent demographic rather than the dividend-producing segment.
- B
Working population of 14 to 50 years
Option (b) defines the demographic dividend as the working population aged 14 to 50 years. While this range covers many working-age individuals, standard demographic and economic definitions do not use 14 to 50 as the official statistical boundary for this metric.
- C
0-6 years population
Option (c) states that the demographic dividend refers to the 0 to 6 years population. This group constitutes children in the pre-working age cohort, who are entirely dependent and form no part of the productive workforce.
- D
Working population of 15 to 59 years
is (d) because the demographic dividend is globally and nationally defined as the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population's age structure, specifically when the share of the working-age population from 15 to 59 years is larger than the non-working-age share. This broad cohort represents the prime productive workforce driving economic output and savings. Options (a), (b), and (c) either misidentify dependent age brackets or use non-standard working age boundaries.
Summary. Official key is (d). Official key is (d) because the demographic dividend is globally and nationally defined as the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population's age structure, specifically when the share of the working-age population from 15 to 59 years is larger than the non-working-age share. This broad cohort represents the prime productive workforce driving economic output and savings. Options (a), (b), and (c) either misidentify dependent age brackets or use non-standard working age boundaries.