| Aims: The current study aimed to investigate the amount of demographic transformation in one of the age structure indicators, the median age of the population of Anbar Governorate between the period of 1997 and 2023. It also aimed to test the direction of change. Methodology: To follow the phenomenon of median age historically, the research adopted the historical approach. To analyze and interpret the phenomenon and its relationship to other demographic variables, the descriptive approach was also adopted. The study also adopted official data from the 1997 general population census from the Ministry of Planning. The research sample consisted of (2400) individuals (families), distributed as (1400) in urban areas and (1000) in rural areas. Results: The results showed that the demographic transition for the median age was evident during the research period between 1997 to 2023. The results indicated that the demographic transition increased by approximately six years, in both urban and rural areas alike. The results also indicated that this may be due to a decline in the birth rate, which resulted in a decrease in the relative representation of the age group (0-14) years, followed by an increase in the relative representation of the middle-aged group (15-64) years, the elderly group (65 years and older), and an increase in the life expectancy of the population. Conclusions: It can be concluded that there are number of factors have contributed to the change in age structure indicators, with the relative overrepresentation of the middle-aged (14-64) and elderly (65 years and older) categories, and the consequently decreased relative representation of the young (0-14) age group. These factors include: The decline in the birth rate and the increase in life expectancy. Additionally, the median age has declined, increasing by more than five years between 1997 and 2023. |
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