Countries with a larger share of men aged 55‑59 tend to have slower population growth.
Comparing Total population (thousands), annual growth rate with Population ages 55-59, male, per capita across 211 countries, 2025–2025.
- Rank correlation
- -0.76
- Holding size constant
- -0.71
- Countries compared
- 211
- Period
- 2025–2025
What might link these
A higher proportion of males in the 55‑59 age bracket often reflects an older population structure, which is associated with lower birth rates and thus slower annual growth. This pattern aligns with the demographic transition where aging societies experience reduced growth. However, the relationship may also be influenced by broader factors such as overall median age, fertility rates, or economic development.
Why this is not proof of anything
This is a correlation across countries, not an experiment. It cannot show that either indicator causes the other, and both may simply follow a third thing. The correlation could be driven by a country's overall stage of demographic transition rather than a direct link between the two specific indicators.
The second figure above repeats the measurement with national population and income held constant. It is the more conservative number: a relationship that largely disappears there was mostly telling you that larger, richer countries have more of most things.
How this was measured
Both indicators were ranked across every country reporting each, and the two rankings compared — ranks rather than raw values, because a handful of very large countries can otherwise manufacture a relationship on their own. The calculation is arithmetic over figures already published on this site; the commentary above is drafted from the two indicator names and the resulting coefficients.