Demography- The Ageing Population

• Life expectancy= How long a person, born in a given year, can expect to live.
• As the death rate has fallen, life expectancy has increased.

  • In 1900, the life expectancy was 50 for men and 57 for women.
  • In 2018, the life expectancy was 88 and for men and 90 for women.
• Ageing population

  • Pensioners; an increase in the population with the proportion of older people increasing.
  • In 1998, one in six people were 65 and over (15.9%).
  • By 2039, one in four people will be 65 and over.
• Causes of the ageing population

  • Increasing life expectancy.
  • Decline infant morality rate.
• Consequences of an ageing population

  • The Dependency Ratio
  • The relationship between the working, productive part of the population, and the non-working, dependent part of the population.
  • The taxes, earning and savings of the working population must support the dependent population.
  • The increasing ageing population increases the dependency ratio; it may also mean changes to social policy.
  • Housing.
  • Social care.
  • Medical care.
  • Pensions.
• Consequences of an ageing population

  • The Dependency Ratio
  • By 2067 there will be 2.5 workers per pensioner.
  • Social care and public services
  • Older people are more likely to have chronic illness which require care.
• Consequences of the ageing population

  • Effects on middle aged and young people
  • Middle-aged people are part of a 'sandwich generation', providing care for their elderly parents while still raising families of their own, especially children in their early 20s who cannot afford to move out.
  • The increasing retirement age.
  • 68 years old
  • Young people born today are more likely to have a relationship with their grandparents/extended kin than previous generations.