triple over the next 40 years, from 29 million in 1980 to 91 million in 2025. 200. Arnong the more developed regions approximately 13 per cent of the working age population was ln the age group 15 to 19 years old in 1980' while the corresponding proportion for the less developed regions rdas about 19 per cenb, ranging from 16 Per cent ln East Asla to 20 per cen! in Africa. Over the next four decades, the proportlon of the torking age population who are 15 to 19 years old is expected go decrease substantially in the less developed regions as a hthole, falling to 15 per cent in 2000 and to 13 per cent in 2025. fn the least developed countries and in Africa as a whole, the proporcion is projected to renain close to 20 per cent in the year 2000 and to fall only to 17-18 per cent by the year ?025 due to contlnuing higb rates of fertility. . (ii) Dependency ratlos 201. An important dimension to consider when describing the trorking age population is age dependency. 1r/ In 1980 the child dependency ratio (number of children under 15 years of age to 1OO persons aged 15 to 64) ln the less developed regions was about ttdice that ln the more developed regions - 71.I per 100 persons of working age veraua 35.1 per I00 per.qons of working age, reapectivelyr the ratio in the least developed reglons is even higher, 89.8 (see tabte 34). The gituation is reversed for the aged depehalency ratio (those over 64 years of age to 100 persons aged 15 to 541: 1?.4 in the (Fre developed regtons and 6.8 in the less developed
**Analysis**
The text discusses demographic trends, specifically the population growth and age structure of the working-age population, which are crucial indicators of economic development. The analysis of dependency ratios, which is a fundamental concept in understanding the economic burden of supporting dependents, also points towards economic development.

**Category**
Employment, Education