What does age-specific birth rate measure?

The age-specific birth rate specifically measures the number of births occurring in a particular age group of women, typically expressed per 1,000 women in that age group. This metric allows demographers and researchers to analyze fertility patterns and reproductive behaviors among different age segments of a population. By focusing on specific age ranges, such as 15-19 or 20-24 years, it provides insight into how birth rates vary with age.

This measurement helps illuminate trends in childbearing among different cohorts, which can be crucial for understanding population growth, the reproductive health of a community, and the potential future demographic structure. In contrast, the other options discuss broader concepts or different aspects of fertility and population dynamics that do not specifically focus on age-specific rates.