Aging Population

• Public services


  • Older people consume a larger proportion of public services (health, social care) compared to other age groups
• One-person pensioner households


  • The number of one-person pensioner households has increased
  • This is because women live longer and tend to be younger than their husbands
• Dependency ratio


  The ratio of the number of pensioners to the number of working people
• In 2015 there were 32 working people for every pensioner
• By 2033 the dependency ratio is expected to be about 28 working people for every pensioner
• Ageism


  • Negative stereotyping and unequal treatment of people on the basis of age
  • Older people are perceived as economically dependent and needing to be provided for by those who work
• There is discrimination against the 'old old' (85+) compared to the 'young old' (65-74)
• Older people remain very healthy for longer
• Structural dependency


  • Older people are excluded from many aspects of modern society (pensions, healthcare, housing, transport etc.)
  • This causes ageism
• Feminisation of ageing


  Most of the 'old old' are female due to women living longer than men
• Postmodern society is seeing the blurring of life stages, with children dressing as adults and later marriage
• Smaller numbers of children offsets the dependency ratio
• Inequality among the old

  • Class and gender are still important factors
  • Those with higher incomes and more savings have better pensions and health
• Paying for increased life expectancy and the greater health needs of the elderly is a policy challenge
• Older people have become a large market for advertisers of anti-aging products, cosmetic surgery, exercise equipment etc.
• Old age is a social construct, not a fixed biological stage
• The aging population is expected to increase the demand for healthcare services, leading to increased costs.
• Increased longevity may lead to an increase in chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and cancer.
• Aging populations are more likely to have multiple health conditions that require medical attention.