What is the term for the incidence of death in a given population?

The term for the incidence of death in a given population is known as the mortality rate. This metric is critical in sociology and public health as it provides insight into the overall health and longevity of a specific population. The mortality rate typically reflects the number of deaths in a population over a specific period, often expressed per 1,000 or 100,000 individuals.

Understanding the mortality rate helps researchers and policymakers assess health trends, the effectiveness of healthcare systems, and the impact of various factors such as disease, environmental conditions, and social determinants on a population’s well-being.

The other terms presented refer to different, though related, concepts. Morbidity rate, for instance, focuses on the incidence of disease rather than death. Life expectancy refers to the average number of years a person can expect to live, which is influenced by the mortality rate, but does not measure deaths directly. Demographic transition describes the shift in birth and death rates as a country develops, rather than quantifying occurrences of death. Each of these terms is significant in demographics and sociology, but the mortality rate is specifically defined as the measurement of death in a population.