Which of the following can be interpreted from an age-structure diagram of a country?

• A. The average lifespan of individuals in the population
• B. The migration patterns between countries
• C. The potential for future population growth or decline
• D. The genetic diversity of the population

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what an age-structure diagram represents. An age-structure diagram is a graphical representation of the distribution of various age groups in a population, typically divided by gender. It provides insights into the population's demographic trends.
2. Step 2: Recognize the key information that can be derived from an age-structure diagram. It shows the proportion of individuals in different age categories, such as pre-reproductive, reproductive, and post-reproductive stages, which helps predict population growth or decline.
3. Step 3: Analyze how the shape of the diagram relates to population trends. For example, a pyramid-shaped diagram with a wide base indicates a high proportion of young individuals, suggesting potential for population growth. Conversely, a narrower base suggests fewer young individuals, indicating potential population decline.
4. Step 4: Clarify why other options are incorrect. The average lifespan cannot be directly determined from an age-structure diagram, as it does not provide mortality rates or life expectancy data. Migration patterns and genetic diversity are also not represented in this type of diagram.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct interpretation of an age-structure diagram is its ability to predict the potential for future population growth or decline based on the distribution of age groups within the population.