Number of people per 1,000 who die during a particular period.
Explanation
In demography and population studies, mortality is measured using various indicators. The most basic and commonly used indicator is the "Death Rate," technically referred to as the Crude Death Rate (CDR). It serves as a primary gauge of the mortality intensity within a specific population over a given timeframe.
Analysis of Options
- Number of people per 100 who die during a particular period. is incorrect: Demographic rates, such as birth and death rates, are standardly expressed per 1,000 population to make the figures comparable and manageable. They are not typically expressed as a percentage (per 100).
- Number of people per 1,000 who die during a particular period. is correct: The Death Rate is defined as the number of deaths occurring per 1,000 individuals in a population during a specific period, usually one year. It is calculated using the formula:
CDR = (Total Deaths / Mid-Year Population) × 1,000. - Number of infants who die before age one. is incorrect: This definition corresponds to the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), which measures the number of deaths of children under one year of age per 1,000 live births.
- Number of accidental deaths per year. is incorrect: This refers to a specific cause-specific mortality rate (accidental deaths) and does not represent the aggregate death rate of the entire population.
Key Takeaway: The Crude Death Rate (CDR) is a vital statistic representing the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year, distinct from the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) which is calculated per 1,000 live births.