Young talent can be defined and measured in different ways, with differing implications.
First, we can look at the percent of the population by age group over time. This gives an indication of the overall structure of Michigan’s population, and allows us to focus on share of the population young people represent over time in the state. Using five-year age groups, recent changes are minimal for 20- to 24-year-olds (slight decrease) and 25 to 29-year-olds (slight increase). The percent of the total population between 30 and 34 years old decreased by 1 percent over the five-year period.
Second, we look at age cohorts. Without deaths, 100 percent retention of, say, the 15 to 19 age cohort in 2003 would mean that the same number were counted in the 20 to 24 cohort in 2008, five years later. Cohort retention ratios show which age cohorts are migrating into or out of the state. This methodology shows Michigan losing population across every age group. But the loss of younger people is at a much lower rate than the population aged 60 and over.
