Which field studies the characteristics and changes in human populations?

Demography is the field that focuses on the statistical study of populations, particularly with respect to the structure, distribution, and trends in the population over time. Demographers examine various characteristics such as age, gender, birth and death rates, migration patterns, and other factors that influence how populations change.

This discipline is crucial for understanding social phenomena, policy-making, and resource allocation, as population dynamics can have significant impacts on economies, health care, education, and various aspects of society. By collecting and analyzing data related to human populations, demographers can provide insights into future social and economic conditions, which are essential for planning and development.

The other fields mentioned do not specifically focus on studying populations in this manner. Deindustrialization refers to the decline of industrial activity in a region, curanderismo relates to traditional healing practices in Latin American cultures, and culture shock describes the feelings of anxiety or disorientation people may experience when encountering a new culture. None of these fields involve the systematic analysis of demographic data as demography does.