The definition of population varies slightly depending on the context:
- In biology, a population is a group of organisms of one species that interbreed and live in the same place at the same time. It refers to a set of individuals of the same species occupying a specific geographic area and capable of producing offspring with each other.
- In a general sense, such as in human demographics, population refers to all the people inhabiting a particular country, area, or place.
- In statistics, a population is the entire set of individuals or items from which data can be collected or a sample is drawn for analysis. It includes any grouping of individuals or entities sharing a particular common characteristic.
- More broadly, a population can be any complete group with at least one characteristic in common, not limited to people but also including animals, objects, businesses, etc.
In summary, a population is fundamentally a group of individuals or units sharing a common trait or location, frequently studied in fields like biology, demography, and statistics. The concept often emphasizes the living together or common traits within a defined area or group for study or analysis.
