Ageing Population

• Reasons for an ageing population

  the average age in the UK is increasing because of:

  • increased life expectancy
  • low infant mortality rate
  • declining fertility
• Impact of an ageing population

  • increased strain on public services
  • more one-person households
  • the rising dependency ratio
  • ageism
• Phillipson (Marxist)

  • the old are of no use to capitalism
  • they are no longer productive and an economically dependent group, adding to the dependency ratio
• Hunt (Postmodernist)

  • we can choose our identity no matter what our age is - our age no longer determines who we are
  • as a result of this, the elderly become a market for body maintenance and rejuvination services and goods
  • e.g. cosmetic surgery, gym membership and anti-ageing products