What does demography focus on in its scientific study?

Demography is a branch of social science that specifically studies the characteristics and dynamics of human populations. This includes aspects such as population size, density, distribution, age structure, birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns. By examining these attributes, demographers can analyze how populations change over time and the implications of these changes on society, the economy, and the environment.

Understanding population characteristics and dynamics is essential for policymakers, businesses, and social planners as they develop strategies for resource allocation, public health, education, and urban planning, among others. This focus helps in predicting future trends and addressing challenges that arise within populations, such as aging, youth bulges, or migration crises.

In contrast, the other options refer to separate fields or concepts. For instance, analyzing natural resources pertains more to environmental science, while behavioral patterns of individuals could be a focus in psychology or sociology. The geographic distribution of wildlife relates to ecology and biology rather than demographics. By concentrating on the population itself, demography emphasizes the human aspect of societal changes and trends.