Calculate the dependency ratio per 100 working-age people from dependents aged 0–14 and 65+ versus the 15–64 working-age population.

Dependency Ratio Calculator

Dependency Ratio Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the Dependency Ratio. 

DR = (D / WC) \times 100
  • Where DR is the Dependency Ratio (dependents per 100 working-age people)
  • D is the dependent population (ages 0–14 and 65+) (people, or % of total population)
  • WC is the working-age population (ages 15–64) (people, or % of total population)

To calculate the dependency ratio, divide the number (or percentage) of people aged 0–14 and 65+ by the number (or percentage) of people aged 15–64, then multiply by 100.

How to Calculate Dependency Ratio?

The following example problems outline how to calculate Dependency Ratio.

Example Problem #1:

  1. First, determine the dependent population (ages 0–14 and 65+).
    • The dependent population is given as: 400,000 people.
  2. Next, determine the working-age population (ages 15–64).
    • The working-age population is provided as: 1,500,000 people.
  3. Finally, calculate the Dependency Ratio using the equation above: 

DR = D / WC × 100

The values given above are inserted into the equation below and the solution is calculated:

DR = 400,000 / 1,500,000 × 100 = 26.667 dependents per 100 working-age people


Example Problem #2: 

For this problem, the variables required are provided below:

Dependent population (ages 0–14 and 65+) = 300,000

Working-age population (ages 15–64) = 2,000,000

Test your knowledge using the equation and check your answer with the calculator above.

DR = D / WC × 100 = ?