Introduction To Demography - 1st Output in Demography

1. What is Demography?
Demography is rooted from the greek word demos and graphos that translates
into, study and population. It is generally the scientific study of population. But some
have different definitions of it.
The founder of Demography, Achille Guillard, defines it as a mathematical

knowledge of populations, their general movements, and their physical, civil, intellectual
and moral state”(Guillard 1855:xxvi).
Hauser and Duncan says, “Demography is the study of size, territorial

distribution and composition of population, changes therein, and the components of
such changes, which may be identified as natality, mortality, territorial movement
(migration), and social mobility (change of status).”
Frank Lorimer, “In broad sense, demography includes both demographic

analysis and population studies. A broad study of demography studies both qualitative
and quantitative aspects of population.”
Donald J. Bougue, “Demography is a statistical and mathematical study of the

size, composition, spatial distribution of human population, and of changes overtime in
these aspects through the operation of the five processes of fertility, mortality, marriage,
migration and social mobility. Although it maintains a continuous descriptive and
comparative analysis of trends, in each of these processes and in its net result, its long
run goal is to develop a body of theory to explain the events that it charts and
compares.” 1
Many have different definitions on the subject but Demography in general

sense, is a study of populations and the movements; of its causes and effects on both
micro and macro perspectives, and its solutions to the problems that it implied to
society. Demography focuses on the: population size; population growth or decline;
population processes; population distribution; population structure; and
population characteristics. 2
According to Dennis Hudson stated that the works of demographers are likely to
“understand” what is happening rather than to “make” something happen. 3
2. Why is it important to study Demography?
“The study of demography is thus an integral part of understanding human society.”
“…demography affects nearly every facet of your life in some way or another.”
---Weeks. John R., Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues, Tenth Edition
Demography played an important part in the society. It guides us in
understanding human society or even ourselves; on how problems arise, understanding
the trends, and measures to address the problems that relates to demography (or just
learning to adjust with these changes). Demography affects society on the aspects of
sex, age, race, gender, healthcare, electricity bill, household, etc.
3. How will the study of Demography benefit the ff:
“Demographic change can influence the underlying growth rate of the economy, structural
productivity growth, living standards, savings rates, consumption, and investment; it can
influence the long-run unemployment rate and equilibrium interest rate, housing market trends,
and the demand for financial assets.”
---Loretta J. Mester, Demographics and Their Implications for the Economy and Policy,
https://www.clevelandfed.org/newsroom-and-events/speeches/sp-20171116-demographics-
and-their-implications-for-the-economy-and-policy.aspx#:~:text=Demographic%20change
%20can%20influence%20the,the%20demand%20for%20financial%20assets
a. Government
Fiscal policies; healthcare policies are some of the benefits of Demography to

the government. Mortality rates, death rates and employment rates are factors that are
observable factors in Demography. 4
b. Economy
The economy benefits from Demography by the tracking the changes on

population size, proportion, and it’s other components that hinder or improve the
economy. Examples are the social migration case that happens in global or regional
parts of the world.
Demographic data paved way on crafting new legislations or policies that can
benefits countries. It highlights the trends and movements that benefits companies and
markets on programs on actions that can alter future development. 5
Aside from these, Demography also seeks to understand employment

differences in terms of the distribution of aging employees and younger ones. More
young employees leave the labor force than seasoned; because they developed deep
understanding towards the labor system. Older people has lower unemployment rate
than the young that this group seek for experiences and develop skills.
F. Fukuoka6 said, that several important research studies have addressed the
relationship between population and economic development in the Philippines (e.g.,
Herrin and Pernia 2003; Mapa and Balisacan 2003; Canlas 2004). These studies have
concluded that population growth has hindered economic development in the
Philippines. For example, the study by Canlas (2004) found a significant negative
relationship between population growth and economic development. Herrin and Pernia
(2004) noted that there has been a remarkable population growth in the Philippines
since the 1970s. They argued that, given structural weaknesses in the economy, the
rapid population growth seemed to have exacerbated the unemployment problem and
poverty in the country. In a similar vein, Mapa and Balisacan (2003) pointed out that
among the ASEAN member countries, the rapid population growth in the Philippines
provided relatively low benefit (i.e., in terms of the demographic dividend) to economic
development. Instead, the country had to pay a high price for its unchecked population
growth.
c. Schools and Educational Institution
Increase and decrease of enrolments affects many factors. Like on the

employment of teachers. Increase of enrolment increase the number of teachers
needed.
“Educators must also bear in mind the important influence economic conditions have on
job opportunities …”
---Weeks. John R., Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues, Tenth
Edition
Migration is one factor that affects the increase and decrease of trends that
related to enrolment. The number of capital input is also an effect of this trend. More
classrooms and books are also needed to provide quality education. Aside from
migration, students’ sex, race, family background, socio-economic status etc is also a
factor. A change or upgrading in the curriculum model is an essential benefit because of
this trend. 7
d. Society in general
Demography encompasses the whole aspects of society whether it is in related

to migration, electoral processes, or health trends. The study of population aims to
identify and understand the trends that help institutions in the society to resolve such
problems.
4.) What are the components of Demography?
Societal situations depend on three Demographic components namely birth,

death, and migration. Once there is a change in either of these components it likely
reflects to specific components of society. Demographers Thompson and Whelpton
says that, “in surveying recent social changes in the United States it is appropriate to
begin with these basic factors of births, deaths and the numbers living. With this definite
knowledge in mind, we can better understand the changes in the ways that Americans
make their livings, the values which appeal to them, their criticisms of themselves, the
fears and hopes they entertain about the future.” 8
Birth is measured by the fertility/birth rate. Demographers quantify it through the

numbers of child birth per crude birthrate (the number of live births per 1,000 people per
year).
Mortality is measured by the number of people who die. Demographers

measure it with the crude death rate, the number of deaths for every 1,000 people in a
population in a given year. To determine the crude death rate, the number of deaths is
divided by the population size, and this result is then multiplied by 1,000. 9
Migration is the movement of people. Movement either in regional or

international level affects greatly towards development.
NOTES
1
https://www.sociologydiscussion.com/demography/demography-meaning-scope-and-
importance-sociology/2932
2
Weeks. John R., Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues, Tenth Edition
3
https://www.jstor.org/stable/1972893
4
5
6
https://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/pjd/pidspjd10-1population.pdf
7
Weeks. John R., Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues, Tenth Edition
8
https://www.cairn-int.info/journal-population-2006-1-page-19.htm
9
https://pressbooks.howardcc.edu/soci101/chapter/demography-and-population/

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1. What is Demography?

The founder of Demography, Achille Guillard, defines it as a mathematical

Hauser and Duncan says, “Demography is the study of size, territorial

Frank Lorimer, “In broad sense, demography includes both demographic

Donald J. Bougue, “Demography is a statistical and mathematical study of the

Many have different definitions on the subject but Demography in general

2. Why is it important to study Demography?

“The study of demography is thus an integral part of understanding human society.”

3. How will the study of Demography benefit the ff:

Fiscal policies; healthcare policies are some of the benefits of Demography to

The economy benefits from Demography by the tracking the changes on

Aside from these, Demography also seeks to understand employment

c. Schools and Educational Institution

Increase and decrease of enrolments affects many factors. Like on the

Demography encompasses the whole aspects of society whether it is in related

4.) What are the components of Demography?

Societal situations depend on three Demographic components namely birth,

Birth is measured by the fertility/birth rate. Demographers quantify it through the

Mortality is measured by the number of people who die. Demographers

Migration is the movement of people. Movement either in regional or

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