The age structures of a population represents

Options

A. relative number of individuals at each age
B. number of new borns each year
C. number of individuals reaching puberty each year
D. relative number of deaths at each age

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Age Structure**: The age structure of a population refers to the distribution of individuals of different ages within that population. It provides insights into the demographic composition and potential growth trends of the population.

2. **Categories of Age Groups**: In human populations, age groups are typically divided into three main categories:
- **Pre-Reproductive Age Group**: This includes children and adolescents who are not yet of reproductive age.
- **Reproductive Age Group**: This group consists of individuals who are of marriageable age and are actively contributing to the workforce.
- **Post-Reproductive Age Group**: This includes older individuals who are past their reproductive years.

3. **Representation of Age Structure**: The age structure can be visually represented using an **age pyramid**. In this diagram:
- The base of the pyramid represents the pre-reproductive age group (younger individuals).
- As you move up the pyramid, you encounter the reproductive age group, followed by the post-reproductive age group at the apex.

4. **What Age Structure Represents**: The age structure represents the **relative number of individuals at each age** or within specific age groups. This information helps in understanding the potential for population growth or decline based on the number of individuals in each category.

5. **Eliminating Incorrect Options**:
- The age structure does not represent the **number of newborns each year** (this is related to natality).
- It does not specifically indicate the **number of individuals reaching puberty each year**, although it can give an idea about future reproductive potential.
- It is also not concerned with the **relative number of deaths** in the population, as it focuses primarily on age distribution rather than mortality rates.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct interpretation of age structure is that it represents the **relative number of individuals at each age or in each age group**.