Demography is the scientific study of the characteristics of human populations, including their size, composition (such as age, sex, race, and ethnicity), distribution, and dynamics (changes over time due to births, deaths, and migration). Demographers use statistical methods to analyse population data and trends, seeking to understand the factors that influence population growth, decline, and structure. Key areas of study in demography include fertility (birth rates), mortality (death rates), and migration (the movement of people from one place to another). Demographic research provides essential information for governments, businesses, and other organisations for planning purposes, such as forecasting future population size, age structure, and geographic distribution, which can inform decisions related to healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social welfare programs. Demography also plays a crucial role in understanding social change and addressing issues related to population aging, urbanisation, and environmental sustainability.