Demography

• The Total Fertility Years has risen since 2001
• The Total Fertility years is the number of children a woman has in those years (15-44)
• However, Birth rate is not as high as it used to be in 1964
• The Birth rate in 1964 was 2.95
• The Birth rate in 2022 is 1.5
• There can be a range of reasons for the decline in Birth rate;

  • Women position has changed
  • Decline in infant mortality
  • Child-centredness
  • Economic Burden
• Women's positions have improved as policy has as well, Such as the Divorce Reform Act, or Equal Pay Act
• Infant Mortality has decreased due to a range of reasons;

  • Improved housing and sanitation
  • Better nutrition
  • Hygiene
  • Improved services for men and women
• Infant Mortality decreasing means families wont see the need to have multiple children to ensure their heritage is passed down
• The Economic Burden of Children can be £81,772 for one child of two parents
• The Economic Burden for 1 child for one parent is 90,980
• The average age to have your first child in 2012 was 28.1 years old
• The effect of changes in child bearing can lead to the dependency ratio going lower, but will increase in future
• The Dependency ratio refers to people dependant on other in society
• A lower birth rate has also decreased the need for public services
• The Death rate refers to the number of deaths per thousand per year in the UK.
• The Death rate was 19 in 1900
• The Death rate is 8.9 in 2012
• There is a range of reasons for decline in Death rate;

  • Decline in Infectious diseases
  • Better Nutrition
  • Medical Improvements
  • Less Smoking and better diet
  • Public Health Measures
  • Social Changes
• Tranter says the decrease in Death Rate is due to a fall in infectious diseases, as 3/4 deaths used to be as a result of infectious disease
• McKeown found better nutrition led to a decreased death rate, however this doesn't explain how women who eat less live longer
• Medical Improvements such as medicines and treatments have lead to a decrease in Death Rate
• Harper says less smoking and better diet has decreased death rate
• Better public services, such as the Clean Air Act has decreased the death rate
• In 1952, the smog that killed 4000 people in 5 days was the reason the Clean Air Act was introduced
• Other social issues, such as less risky jobs has led to a decreased in death rate
• Life expectancy has increased in the UK
• If someone is born in 2013, they are expected to live to 94 (women) or 90.7 (men)
• There is a range of advantages and disadvantages to an increased life expectancy
• Advantage of an aging population


  Lawton says that new markets of the elderly can boost the economy
• Advantage of an aging population


  The Taking Part Survey found that 4.9 million of people (over 65) do volunteer work
• Advantage of an aging population


  'Value of a Parent' Survey found that grandparents do £73 of unpaid work for childcare
• Disadvantages of an aging population


  Half of all people in hospital time in 2013 and 60% of drug prescriptions were for over 65s
• Disadvantages of an aging population


  Poverty and Family hardship can increase as the family take responsibility for their elderly, this task mainly falls on women
• Disadvantages of an aging population


  Pensioner 1 person households will increase which lead to social isolation and a housing crisis
• Disadvantages of an aging population


  The Illnesses of all the elderly put a strain on the NHS
• Ageism is a discrimination against people based on age
• Philipson says the reason why people are ageist is because capitalism teaches people they are unproductive and a problem as a result
• Hunt says the elderly are consumers instead of producers that create new markets, boosting the economy
• Hirsch says the need for old people is too keep them working, and now allow them to retire