The changing dependent population of the UK, 19712021

Coping with Ageing Populations

Who are the elderly

Men over 65 and women over 60 in the UK Set to change so that men and women are the same by 2010 By 2008 number of 65+ people in the UK will outstrip number of under 16s

Reasons for ageing populations

Two causes 1. Drop in fertility rate means number of young people falling 2. Increased life expectancy

Life Expectancy

1970 1996 Life expectancy around the world increased from 55 to 66 years due to improved social conditions, nutrition and health care Women life longer them men Why? smoke less, less work so fewer work related injuries, genetic UK life expectancy = 77 Highest Japan= 81

The Dependency Ratio

Elderly Population (65+) _________________________ Working Population (15-64) Pattern= increasing in MEDCs

X 100

Positive impacts of the elderly

Contribution to society statesmanship, tolerance, wisdom Jobs in politics, commerce and local community contributions

Less likely to commit crime

Consumption of goods in particular sector

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Holidays for the elderly

Run clubs, charities, baby sit

Costs

Economic: More pensioners collecting pensions Greater demand for health care Less taxes being paid Slow down economic growth as less flexible

Social

More nursing homes needed Fewer people to do the important jobs

Distribution of the ageing population

Effects of the ageing population will not be felt equally across the country. Some local authorities will have a large economically active population (E.g. Reading) In other places there will be a much smaller economically active population (e.g. Christchurch) Here the local council will have to spend more on specialist facilities e.g. Hospitals and care homes.

Planning for the future

raising the retirement age and using the tax system to encourage private pension provision using immigration, selectively, to help raise fertility and avoid severe population decline and skills shortages promoting change in attitudes so that older people are seen as assets rather than costs

Global Greying

The phenomenon of greying might be set to go global in the future linked to development. Already some countries whose economic growth occurred relatively recently are displaying an aging population e.g. South Korea. By 2047, the number of people over 60 is expected to exceed the number of children aged under 15.

Tasks

Read Geofile Ageing populations Answer all questions