What does a high ageing ratio indicate about a population?

A high ageing ratio indicates that there is a larger proportion of older individuals compared to younger, working individuals within the population. This demographic trend often occurs in societies where birth rates have declined and life expectancy has increased, leading to a higher number of elderly people relative to the working-age population.

Such an ageing population can have significant implications for social services, healthcare, and economic productivity, as fewer working-age individuals may be available to support an increasing number of retirees. This scenario is commonly seen in developed countries where advancements in healthcare have allowed people to live longer, even as younger population numbers decrease due to lower birth rates.

The other options do not accurately describe the implications of a high ageing ratio. A population primarily composed of young people indicates a low ageing ratio, while equal numbers of older and younger individuals would reflect a balanced demographic, and a population in rapid decline typically involves decreasing numbers of both older and younger people due to high mortality rates or low birth rates.