If total population is stable but the working-age group is decreasing, what planning concern will increase?

Correct answer: Balance between the workforce and the dependent population

Correct answer: A. A population can remain the same in total while its age composition changes. The working-age group generally supplies labour, income and tax support, whereas children and many older people depend more on earners and public services. If the working-age group becomes smaller, there may be fewer workers supporting a relatively larger dependent population. Planners must therefore examine employment, pensions, healthcare, education and social-support needs, not just the total number of people. A is correct because it identifies the changing worker-to-dependent balance. B is wrong because river length is a physical geographical feature and does not describe the age structure. C is unrelated to population planning. D is not a meaningful demographic measure. Memory cue: total population tells “how many”; age structure helps explain “who needs support.”