Ageing population

• Ageing population

  The average age of the UK population is rising, in 1971 it was 34, by 2020 it stood at 40.4. By 2037 it is projected to reach 42.8
• Structure of the UK population

  • People 60 and over now form a larger part of the population than under 16. There has been a big increase in the number of people aged over 85 - about 1.1 million (1.9% of the population)
• Structure of the UK population

  • 2001 - there were 12.1 million people over the age of 60. 4.4 million over 75
  • 2011 - In the UK it is projected that 13.9 million people will be over 60. 4.6 million will be over 75
  • 2021 - 14.5 million over 60. 17.7 million under 25
• Public services

  The demand for health and social care services increases particularly age 75+ But many older adults are in good health
• One pensioner households

  (leading to a shortage of families) and many older adult females living alone and some in poverty.
• The dependency ratio

  Increases as the number of dependent people increases. But policies such as raising the retirement age to reduce the population of dependent people.
• Ageing is a problem

  • Strain on health and care services - expensive
  • Working people may have to take care of old relatives
  • One person households
  • The dependency ratio
  • Infantilisation
  • Fuel poverty
  • Ageism - labelling and stereotyping
  • Less jobs for young people
• Phillipson - marxist view


  Old people are no longer of use to capitalism, so the state is unwilling to support them adequately.
• Ageing isn't a problem

  • Grey pound
  • Many older adults have active lifestyles
  • Products and services designed for older adults - cosmetic surgery
  • Make great employees and experiences are valued by many corporations.
  • Live longer so they form strong relationships with grandchildren - free childcare
• Hunt - postmodern society

  Consumption is key to our identities, not production. We are now defined by what we consume. The elderly have become a market for a range of body maintenance e.g anti-ageing products.
• Solutions to an ageing population - Hirsch 2005

  • Financing a longer old age can be done through paying more savings and in tax whilst working
  • Raising the retirement age
  • Encouraging older people to 'trade down' for example, the bedroom tax
• Pilcher 1995 argues that there is inequality amongst older people

  • Class - MC have better pensions and greater savings from higher salaries. Poorer older people have a shorter life expectancy.
  • Gender - Women's lower earnings and career breaks (maternity leave) means lower pensions, they are subject to sexism as well as ageism.
• The Elderly

  • 64% of care takers in retirement homes had either witnessed or took part in abusive behaviour to age people.
  • Grey pound - worth over £320 billion a year in the UK - contributed to 54% of all consumer spending in 2019
  • Equality Act 2010 - Ensured no age based discrimination