Definition: Probability

OECD - Data and Metadata Reporting

A probability is similar to a rate, the difference being that the denominator comprises all those objects in a given population at the beginning of the period of observation. For example: If 10 people die in one year out of a population of 1 000 at the start of a year, the probability of dying during that year was 10/1 000, or 0.01000.

Source:
Palmore, J., Gardner, R.W., 1994, "Measuring mortality, fertility and natural increase: a self teaching guide to elementary measures", East-West Centre, Honolulu, Hawaii [quoted in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), "Data and Metadata Reporting and Presentation Handbook", OECD, Paris, 2007]

Created:
2009-09-18

Updated:
2019-05-10