General population

Topic

The general population refers to the entire body of people living within a specific geographic area, country, or community, without restriction to any particular subgroup. In statistics, sociology, and public health, it serves as a baseline reference group to compare against specific cohorts, such as clinical patients or institutionalized individuals. The term is also colloquially used in correctional contexts to describe the main body of inmates who are not kept in solitary confinement or protective custody.