What term describes the number of males and females of each age in a population?

The term that accurately describes the number of males and females of each age in a population is called age structure. This concept not only provides insights into the demographic composition of a population but also highlights how various age groups are represented, which can be vital for understanding population growth, reproductive potential, and the social dynamics within that population.

Age structure data is crucial for ecologists and demographers because it allows them to predict potential changes in population size over time. For instance, a population with a higher proportion of young individuals may indicate future growth, while an aging population could point to declining numbers in the future. In addition, understanding age structure can aid in resource allocation and conservation strategies, as different age groups may have different habitat and resource needs.

While age distribution typically refers to the spread of ages within a population, age structure is more encompassing as it specifically analyzes gender alongside age, providing a more detailed perspective. Population density focuses on how many individuals live in a particular area, and gender ratio typically looks at the proportion of males to females without emphasis on age. Therefore, age structure is the most complete term to convey the combination of age and gender demographics in a population.