The line graph illustrates changes in the proportion of children in four different age groups as a percentage of the total young population in the UK between 1990 and 2001.
Overall, the proportion of children aged 0-4 and 10-14 showed a general decline throughout the period, while figures for the 5-9 and 15-19 age groups rose slightly. Despite some fluctuations, the differences among the four age categories remained relatively small by the end of the period.
In 1990, the youngest group (0-4 years) accounted for about 26% of the population, making it the largest segment. However, this figure dropped sharply to around 23% by 1993 before stabilizing and ending at just above 24% in 2001. Similarly, the proportion of 10-14-year-olds fell marginally from about 26% to 25% over the same period, maintaining a relatively steady trend overall.
In contrast, the 5-9 age group began at roughly 24% in 1990 and climbed gradually to peak at around 26% in 1996, after which it experienced a slight dip but still remained higher than at the start. The oldest children, aged 15-19, displayed a slow but consistent upward trend, rising from approximately 23% to nearly 25% by the end of the period.
In summary, while younger age groups tended to decline, older ones increased modestly, indicating a gradual ageing trend among the UK’s young population between 1990 and 2001