Median age
Median age
Median age (pronunciation: /ˈmiːdiən eɪdʒ/) is a statistical measure that divides the age distribution of a given population into two equal parts: one-half of the population is older than the median age and the other half is younger.
Etymology
The term "median" originates from the Latin word "mediānus," which means "middle." The term "age" comes from the Old French "aage," which is derived from the Latin word "aetātem," meaning "lifetime" or "age."
Definition
The median age is a standard statistical concept used in demographics, sociology, epidemiology, and other social sciences to provide a measure of the central tendency of the age distribution in a population. Unlike the mean age, which is affected by age values at the extreme ends of the distribution (i.e., very young and very old ages), the median age is not influenced by extreme values and therefore provides a more accurate representation of the "typical" age in a population.
Calculation
The median age is calculated by arranging all the ages in the population from youngest to oldest and identifying the age that falls exactly in the middle. If the total number of ages is even, the median is the average of the two middle numbers.
Related terms
- Demographics: The statistical study of populations, especially human beings.
- Population pyramid: A graphical illustration that shows the distribution of various age groups in a population.
- Ageing: The process of becoming older, a major factor in demographic studies.
- Life expectancy: The average period that a person may expect to live.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Median age
- Wikipedia's article - Median age
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