The labour force of a country is determined by the___________

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks what determines the size of a country's labour force. The labour force is the part of the population that is able and willing to work.

Step 2: Explain the concept In economics, the labour force (economically active population) is made up of people within the working age bracket (in Nigeria, usually 15 to 64 years) who are able and willing to work, whether employed or actively seeking work. Children, the elderly, and those unable or unwilling to work are excluded.

So the age structure of the population (how many people fall in the working-age group compared with the young and the old) is the main factor that determines the size of the labour force.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Geographical distribution: This shows where people live (urban or rural). It affects where labour is located, not how large the labour force is.
• B. Age structure of the population: This determines how many people are of working age, so it fixes the potential labour force. This is the best fit.
• C. Number of people available for work: This is essentially a restatement of the labour force itself, so it is circular. It describes the labour force rather than what determines it.
• D. Sex distribution: This has some influence, but it is not the main determinant.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is B. age structure of the population.

Exam tip: Remember "Labour force = working-age population who are able and willing to work." If a question asks what determines the labour force, think age structure. Be careful with options like C, which sound right but only restate the definition.