To understand which demographic trend the table best supports, let's carefully examine the given percentages of the US population by age group. The relevant groups to consider are:
- 18-24 years: 9.9%
- 25-44 years: 26.6%
- 45-64 years: 26.4%
- 65 years and older: 13.0%
First, we need to find the combined percentage of younger adults (ages 18-44):
[tex]\[
\text{Percent of younger adults} = \text{Percent of 18-24} + \text{Percent of 25-44}
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\text{Percent of younger adults} = 9.9\% + 26.6\% = 36.5\%
\][/tex]
Next, we calculate the combined percentage of older adults (ages 45 and older):
[tex]\[
\text{Percent of older adults} = \text{Percent of 45-64} + \text{Percent of 65 and older}
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\text{Percent of older adults} = 26.4\% + 13.0\% = 39.4\%
\][/tex]
Now that we have these combined percentages, we can conclude that:
[tex]\[
\text{Percent of younger adults (18-44)} = 36.5\%
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\text{Percent of older adults (45 and older)} = 39.4\%
\][/tex]
Based on these results, there are fewer younger adults (18-44) compared to older adults (45 and older).
Therefore, the demographic trend that this table best supports is:
"There are fewer younger adults than older adults."
