70
being explored. We will look at various development metrics below, and explore
metrics generally in Chap. 13.
A statistical profile of a population includes all relevant characteristics of that
population and any vulnerable subpopulations like infants, both in the present and
in the future. This is the field of demography. The following list illustrates, in a
non-comprehensive way, some of the demographic factors that usually require
consideration:
1. Absolute population numbers: how many people there are.
2. The age distribution of the population. An individuals’ demand for critical consumables changes over a human lifespan. It is, therefore, important to know the
population in different age groups and how they will likely evolve.
3. Fertility, reproductive health, public health, and mortality, which affect future
absolute population and age profile.
4. The wealth of a population which shapes both the ability to gain access to consumables and the ability to invest in producing them for a population as a
whole.
5. Distribution of wealth which shapes which parts of a population consume
and how much and how different parts of the population engage in food,
energy, and water systems. It also reflects differentials in the capacity to
participate in or influence decisions related to the structure and governance
of systems.
6. Education, skill development, gender and social inequality, cultural and social
influences on consumption choices and the efficiency of use of the consumables, and related factors that influence decision-making.
7. Location of populations concerning the availability of resources, ecosystem
functions, infrastructure requirements; vulnerability to disruptions in supplies
of commodities; and rural-urban context.
8. Migration of populations into and out of areas.
9. Political and institutional capacity which mediate the ability of a population to
produce or import, distribute, gain access to, and utilize food, energy, and water
resources stably.
10. Considerations of political- and income-inequality, culture, priorities, habits,
and values among the population.
As this list illustrates, demographic issues provide a statistical context for people
within societies while also adding a layer of diversity and complexity, particularly
if including them in modeling efforts.
The diversity of human societies is significant at all scales. While much of this
chapter will look at large aggregations of people within countries, it is important
to remember that significant diversity exists at the regional and local levels of
countries and between different socioeconomic groups within any given community. The most basic diversity criteria, gender, and age apply everywhere there
are people.
P. Saundry and B. L. Ruddell
being explored. We will look at various development metrics below, and explore
metrics generally in Chap. 13.
A statistical profile of a population includes all relevant characteristics of that
population and any vulnerable subpopulations like infants, both in the present and
in the future. This is the field of demography. The following list illustrates, in a
non-comprehensive way, some of the demographic factors that usually require
consideration:
1. Absolute population numbers: how many people there are.
2. The age distribution of the population. An individuals’ demand for critical consumables changes over a human lifespan. It is, therefore, important to know the
population in different age groups and how they will likely evolve.
3. Fertility, reproductive health, public health, and mortality, which affect future
absolute population and age profile.
4. The wealth of a population which shapes both the ability to gain access to consumables and the ability to invest in producing them for a population as a
whole.
5. Distribution of wealth which shapes which parts of a population consume
and how much and how different parts of the population engage in food,
energy, and water systems. It also reflects differentials in the capacity to
participate in or influence decisions related to the structure and governance
of systems.
6. Education, skill development, gender and social inequality, cultural and social
influences on consumption choices and the efficiency of use of the consumables, and related factors that influence decision-making.
7. Location of populations concerning the availability of resources, ecosystem
functions, infrastructure requirements; vulnerability to disruptions in supplies
of commodities; and rural-urban context.
8. Migration of populations into and out of areas.
9. Political and institutional capacity which mediate the ability of a population to
produce or import, distribute, gain access to, and utilize food, energy, and water
resources stably.
10. Considerations of political- and income-inequality, culture, priorities, habits,
and values among the population.
As this list illustrates, demographic issues provide a statistical context for people
within societies while also adding a layer of diversity and complexity, particularly
if including them in modeling efforts.
The diversity of human societies is significant at all scales. While much of this
chapter will look at large aggregations of people within countries, it is important
to remember that significant diversity exists at the regional and local levels of
countries and between different socioeconomic groups within any given community. The most basic diversity criteria, gender, and age apply everywhere there
are people.
P. Saundry and B. L. Ruddell