American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What does the constant share technique assume?

1. Population segments will maintain their proportion over time

2. Demographic factors are irrelevant to population growth

3. Population characteristics will shift significantly

4. Economic factors will not influence population dynamics

The correct answer is: Population segments will maintain their proportion over time

The constant share technique assumes that population segments will maintain their proportion over time. This method is often used in planning and demographic analysis to predict future population distributions based on current data. By applying the constant share technique, planners can project how different demographic groups will continue to represent the same proportion of the total population as growth occurs. This assumption is crucial for demographic forecasting, as it helps planners to allocate resources and plan services effectively based on expected population trends. For instance, if a particular age group or ethnic demographic currently makes up a specific percentage of the population, the constant share technique suggests that this percentage will remain stable as the total population grows or shifts. The other options do not align with the principles of this technique. For example, if demographic factors were irrelevant to population growth, there would be no need to consider how segments maintain their proportions. Similarly, a significant shift in population characteristics would contradict the assumption of stability, and denying the influence of economic factors would ignore their known effects on migration and population dynamics.