What is meant by age-sex structure?

Age-sex structure refers to the demographic composition of a population, specifically how many individuals there are within different age groups and divided by their sex. This structure is crucial for understanding the population dynamics of a region, including birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns, as well as for planning services such as healthcare, education, and employment.

This concept is often represented in population pyramids, which visually depict the number of individuals in various age cohorts, stratified by gender. Analyzing the age-sex structure helps demographers and policymakers identify trends and make informed decisions regarding resource allocation and future planning.

The other options do not encapsulate the broader concept of age-sex structure. While the distribution of birth rates across different regions pertains to demographic studies, it does not specifically focus on age and sex distribution. The proportion of elderly to youth looks at a specific demographic ratio but misses the comprehensive age-sex breakdown. The count of total children in a family unit, although relevant, is a narrow aspect and does not reflect the overall demographic structure of a population.