Modern Language Association (of America) Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Â© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Â© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Cite This Source
(b) Limitations of the Indicators: The dependency ratio is an approximation to the ratio of net consumers to net producers. As a proxy for that ratio, the dependency ratio suggests that children under age 15 as well as persons aged 65 or over are economically dependent. In many populations, however, people do not stop being economically active at age 65, nor is it true that all persons aged 15-64 are economically active.
Bed ratio is the number of beds per 1,000 residents aged 65 to 84 and 85 and older. Nationally bed ratios are at about 60 beds per 1000 for age 65 to 84 and 453 beds per 1000 for 85+. As a general rule, a growing bed ratio will over time cause low occupancy rates.