What aspect of population does demographics typically encompass?

Demographics refers to statistical data that describes a population, specifically focusing on characteristics such as age, gender, income, education level, marital status, and, importantly, social status and class. This data is essential for understanding population segments and their behaviors, which aids in market research, media targeting, and policy making.

Social status and class are critical components of demographics because they provide insights into how certain groups may respond to various media, products, or services based on their socio-economic standing. For instance, marketers can tailor their strategies knowing which social classes might have differing purchasing power or preferences.

While technological skills, audience interests, and regional politics are relevant in understanding certain aspects of media consumption and societal trends, they fall outside the traditional scope of what demographics encompasses. Instead, these factors might be influenced by the underlying demographic characteristics, rather than being demographic factors themselves. Thus, the focus on social status and class solidifies the understanding of population from a demographic perspective.