The dependency ratio is a measure that compares the number of dependents (people who are too young or too old to work) to the working-age population (people who are typically between 15 and 64 years old). It is used to assess the level of dependency on the economically active population. A higher dependency ratio indicates a larger burden on the working-age population to support and provide for the dependent population. This ratio is often used in demographic and economic analyses to understand the challenges and implications of a country's aging population or trends in fertility rates.
