What factor is used to explain the term 'mortality rate'?

Mortality rate refers to the measure of the number of deaths in a given population over a specific period, typically expressed per 1,000 or 100,000 individuals. The essential factor that defines mortality rate is population size, as this metric provides the denominator for calculating the rate.

When assessing mortality, the size of the population allows for a standardized understanding of how many people are affected relative to the overall number of individuals within that population. For instance, if a population has a mortality rate of 10 deaths per 1,000 people, understanding that this is against a population of 10,000 tells us there are 100 deaths in total, whereas if the same rate is reported in a population of 1,000, it would only involve 10 deaths.

While other factors—such as health status, demographics, and age—can influence mortality and provide important context for public health considerations, they do not fundamentally alter what mortality rate signifies. The precise expression and calculation of mortality rates hinge on the concept of population size.