Final answer:
The correct term for the ratio between the number of older people and younger people used to analyze the burden placed on the working population to provide social security benefits is the dependency ratio.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ratio between the number of older people and younger people, on whom elders are dependent to supply the funds to provide social security benefits, is called the dependency ratio. This measure reflects the number of citizens not in the labor force, including the young, disabled, or elderly, relative to citizens in the labor force and capable of generating income through employment. An increased aging population, highlighted by the term "the graying of America", is expected to substantially raise the dependency ratio and thus place a heavier burden on the working-age population that supports social security systems through taxes and contributions.
In countries like China, with a significant projected increase in the elderly population, this will put a considerable strain on the labor force and could potentially impact economic growth. The dependency ratio provides insights into the changing demographic structure and its implications for policy-making, particularly in the areas of social security, healthcare, and retirement planning.