die  Bevölkerungszahl

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈfœlkɐʊŋsˌtsaːl/

🔢 What exactly is 'die Bevölkerungszahl'?

The German noun die Bevölkerungszahl (feminine, article 'die') refers to the number of inhabitants (Einwohner) in a specific area at a particular time. This area could be a country (Land), region (Region), city (Stadt), or any other defined space.

It's a standard term in demographics (Demografie), statistics (Statistik), and geography (Geografie).

Because the word ends in '-zahl' and 'die Zahl' (the number) is feminine, 'die Bevölkerungszahl' is also feminine. There are no other articles or meanings to worry about here. 🥳

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Bevölkerungszahl

'Bevölkerungszahl' is a feminine noun. It's mostly used in the singular because it often refers to a specific number for one area. The plural ('Bevölkerungszahlen') is used when talking about the numbers for different areas or different points in time.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences 📜

1. Die Bevölkerungszahl Deutschlands liegt bei über 83 Millionen.
   (Germany's population figure is over 83 million.)
2. Der Bürgermeister sprach über die sinkende Bevölkerungszahl der Stadt.
   (The mayor spoke about the city's declining population figure.)
3. Man verglich die Bevölkerungszahlen verschiedener europäischer Länder.
   (They compared the population figures of different European countries.)
4. Statistiken zur Bevölkerungszahl sind wichtig für die Stadtplanung.
   (Statistics on the population figure are important for urban planning.)

🌐 When and How to Use 'Bevölkerungszahl'?

'Die Bevölkerungszahl' is mainly used in formal and factual contexts, especially in:

• Statistics and Demographics: To describe the number of people in an area.
• Geography and Social Studies: In lessons or academic literature.
• Politics and Administration: In planning, reports, or discussions about social or infrastructural topics.
• News and Reporting: When reporting on demographic developments.

In everyday language, you might more often hear 'Einwohnerzahl' (number of inhabitants) or simply 'wie viele Leute dort wohnen' (how many people live there), but 'Bevölkerungszahl' is the more precise technical term.

There's little risk of confusion as the term is very specific. It shouldn't be confused with 'Bevölkerungswachstum' (population growth - the change in number) or 'Bevölkerungsdichte' (population density - inhabitants per area).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Bevölkerungszahl'

For the article 'die': Think of 'die Statistik' (the statistic) or 'die Zahl' (the number). Since 'Bevölkerungszahl' ends in '-zahl' and it's 'die Zahl', then 'die Bevölkerungszahl' must also be feminine ('die'). Imagine 'die Zahl' is the key *figure* (feminine association in some languages) you need for the *population*.

For the meaning: Break it down: Bevölkerung (population) + Zahl (number/figure). So it's simply the 'population figure'. Visualize counting the 'Volk' (people, population) and writing down the final 'Zahl' (number).

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

Similar but Different Terms:

• Bevölkerungsdichte: Measures inhabitants per unit of area (e.g., per sq km), not the absolute number. (Population density)
• Bevölkerungsstruktur: Describes the composition of the population (e.g., by age, gender). (Population structure)
• Bevölkerungswachstum/-rückgang: Describes the change in population number over time. (Population growth/decline)

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Statistiker seinen Kollegen: "Ist unsere Bevölkerungszahl eigentlich gerade oder ungerade?" Antwortet der Kollege: "Moment, ich zähl mal schnell durch..." zählt ... "Oh, Mist! Einer ist gerade aufs Klo gegangen!"

English: A statistician asks his colleague: "Is our population figure actually even or odd?" The colleague replies: "Hang on, I'll do a quick count..." counts ... "Oh, darn! Someone just went to the restroom!"

📜 Poem about the Number

German:
Groß oder klein, auf dem Papier,
die Bevölkerungszahl, die nennen wir.
Sie zeigt, wie viele Menschen leben,
in Städten, Dörfern, Land daneben.
Ein Maß für Wachstum, manchmal Schwund,
macht Politik oft kund.
Die Zahl allein, sie sagt nicht viel,
doch ist sie Basis, oft das Ziel.

English:
Large or small, on paper here,
The population figure, we hold dear.
It shows how many people reside,
In cities, villages, countryside.
A measure of growth, sometimes decline,
Made known by politics, by design.
The number alone, it doesn't say much,
But it's the basis, the vital touch.

🤔 Riddle Time

German:
Ich bin eine Nummer, doch kein Telefon.
Ich zähle Menschen, in Stadt und Region.
Mal wachse ich, mal werde ich klein,
Statistiker finden mich fein.

Welches Wort mit Artikel 'die' bin ich?

English:
I am a number, but not a phone.
I count people, in city and zone.
Sometimes I grow, sometimes I shrink,
Statisticians like how I link.

Which word with the article 'die' am I?

Solution: die Bevölkerungszahl

💡 Other Info on 'Bevölkerungszahl'

Word Composition:

'Die Bevölkerungszahl' is a compound noun, composed of:

• Die Bevölkerung: The population; the entirety of inhabitants of an area. Derived from the verb 'bevölkern' (to populate).
• Die Zahl: The number, figure, or count; a numerical value.

Practical Importance:

Population figures (Bevölkerungszahlen) are fundamental for political decisions (e.g., electoral district allocation, infrastructure planning, pension systems) and economic analyses (e.g., market size, labor force potential).