Report on Characteristics and Consequences of an Aging Population

Developed vs. Developing Nations The First thing we notice in the comparison between the developed and the developing nations is the large difference between the elders and children. Elders above 70 years of old are much less than children under 10 in the developing countries while in the developed ones they are almost the same. This is mainly caused by the huge decrease in fertility and increase in longevity [1]. In the developed world the fertility rate decreased in the last 50 years from 3 children per woman to one, and in the developing world the fall is much more dramatic from 6 children per woman to 2 [1].

With increasing quality of healthcare, many countries around the world are now experiencing an ageing population. This involves a change in the demographic composition of the elderly and the young in a population. This means that there is a decrease in fertility rates with an increase in the number of elderly people (over 65). Therefore, the average age of the population is increasing. According to WHO, “this population ageing can be seen as a success story for public health policies, but it also challenges society to adapt, in order to maximize the health and functional capacity of older people as well as their social participation and security.” The UK is considered to have an ageing population (2013- 10 million over 65 in UK); some may perceive this to have negative consequences due to several factors: for instance, many argue that the ageing population places pressure on public health services.

Further, low birth rates and high life expectancy has also led to a decrease in the country’s population leaving a larger portion of the population over the age of 65. Countries face many challenges when dealing with these demographic changes. First, as a result of the decline

The 1990 population pyramids for the selected developing countries display an expanding population trend. What this demonstrates is that these nations had a predominately younger population with high birth rates with low life expectancy levels as the population numbers severely taper off from birth. A notable observation of the population pyramids for both developed and developing European countries, and to an extent Australia and the United States of America, is the impact of World War I from the age of 70 onwards. The result has left a significant dent in the male populations and the feminisation of the 70-74 age bracket and onwards as a consequence

As the elderly leave the labor force and consume a larger share of goods and services, our economy will suffer along with the wellbeing of all Americans. Lower supplies of workers and output and a larger older population that is dependent on younger adults, will cause a heavy burden on the labor force. The United States will also be affected by means other than just the labor market. Older adults spend more on public services and programs like health care and housing compared to younger adults. In addition, diseases that sometimes come hand in hand with old age, like osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, or diabetes, will lead to a shift from acute to chronic illnesses.

China's one child policy has effectively lowered the fertility rates from 8 to 1.8. Better life quality has also raised life expectancy. This then results in a higher percentage of old people in the population. Population pyramids also show that China has a large projected aging population (China's Population by Age & Sex, 1950 - 2050). So is this a good or bad situation?

There are four phases of demographic transition which are based on if the population is stable, growing, or declining in each. Stage one of demographic transition there is a higher level fluctuation. Which correlate the balance of high death rates and high birth rates within the Pre-modern times the high rates are believed to be high due to the extremely slow population developments. However during the stage one of demographic transition with high fertility and mortality rates as well as slow population growth is conducive to a stable population (Montgomery K. (n.d). Stage two of demographic transition, urbanizing industrializing early expansions there is high birth rates and falling death rate when this occurs there will be a rise in the population growth due to the lower death rates.

The Ageing of the American Population Of the total federal expenditures in 1995, Social Security together with Medicare(federally founded health program aimed at helping the elderly, founded in 1965) was the largest, accounting for about 34 percent. In 2005 this figure is predicted to be as high as 39 percent. This is caused by the "graying" of America and the increased number of elderly who will collect benefits for a longer portion of their lives, coupled with a reduction of the number of workers available to pay for their benefits. Increasing costs of living and higher standards of living (as reflected in higher wages) also are consequences. In short, if no action is taken in the interim, by approximately 2013 the federal government will have to raise taxes, increase the debt, print more money, reduce Social Security benefits immediately, or do some combination of those things to rectify the Social Security cash-flow imbalance.

I put forward three reasons on this point. Firstly, increase in the proportion of the elderly and the reduction of newborn, leading to more work places no one succeed. Furthermore, an increasing number of elderly yearn for a happy and relaxed retire life ahead. In spite of retirement situation of each country is various, generally 55-70 years old. For instance, In Austria, the normal retirement age should... ... middle of paper ... ...development of ageing of the world economy has brought both opportunities and challenges.

Much overlooked and little understood is the impact of social changes related to aging, such as becoming a caregiver to a spouse or parent while employed. According to a 1989 study, the proportion of older people who act as providers and/or caregivers for disabled family members increases after age 45, affecting 20 percent of the population by age 75. It is often cited as a major reason for retirement or decreased hours worked per year, especially for older women. Familial caregiving responsibilities place a heavy burden of stress on the caregiver. Research has also found that chronic stress can reduce productivity on the job, requiring more days off, late arrivals, early departures and increased absenteeism.