This table shows statistics about the US population in 2010.

US Population by Age Group (2010)

\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|}
\hline Age Group & \begin{tabular}{l}
Percent of \\
Population
\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{l}
Total \\
Number
\end{tabular} \\
\hline Under 18 & [tex]$24.0 \%$[/tex] & [tex]$74,181,467$[/tex] \\
\hline [tex]$18-24$[/tex] & [tex]$9.9 \%$[/tex] & [tex]$30,672,088$[/tex] \\
\hline [tex]$25-44$[/tex] & [tex]$26.6 \%$[/tex] & [tex]$82,134,554$[/tex] \\
\hline [tex]$45-64$[/tex] & [tex]$26.4 \%$[/tex] & [tex]$81,489,445$[/tex] \\
\hline \begin{tabular}{l}
65 and \\
older
\end{tabular} & [tex]$13.0 \%$[/tex] & [tex]$40,267,984$[/tex] \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

Which demographic trend does this table best support?

A. People are marrying later than they used to.
B. There are more single-parent families.
C. The American population is more diverse.
D. There are fewer younger adults than older adults.



Answer :

To determine which demographic trend is best supported by the statistics provided for the US population in 2010, let's analyze the given percentages for different age groups:

- Under 18: 24.0%
- 18-24: 9.9%
- 25-44: 26.6%
- 45-64: 26.4%
- 65 and older: 13.0%

We are asked to compare the percentage of younger adults, specifically aged 18-24, with the percentage of older adults, 65 and older.

From the data:
- Percentage of the population aged 18-24: 9.9%
- Percentage of the population aged 65 and older: 13.0%

When we compare these two percentages, we see that 9.9% (younger adults) is less than 13.0% (older adults).

Therefore, the data shows that there are fewer younger adults (aged 18-24) than older adults (aged 65 and older).

Given the options provided:
- People are marrying later than they used to.
- There are more single-parent families.
- The American population is more diverse.
- There are fewer younger adults than older adults.

The correct trend that this table best supports, based on the comparison of age groups, is:
There are fewer younger adults than older adults.