Ageing Pop

Question 1

Ageing pop

Answer 1

• Rising Average Age:
• 1971: Average age was 34.1 years.
• 2003: Average age increased to 40.3 years.
• 2037 (Projected): Average age expected to reach 42.8 years.
• Demographic Changes:
• Fewer Young People: More elderly individuals in the population.
• 2042 Projection: Expected equal number of 78-year-olds and 5-year-olds.
• 2014 Milestone: Number of people aged 55 or over equaled those under 15 for the first time.

Question 2

Effects of an ageing population

Answer 2

1. Public Services:• Increased Demand: Older people, especially those aged 75 and over, use more health and social care services.
   • Potential Changes: May require adjustments in housing, transport, and other services.
   • Health Variability: Not all older people are in poor health; many remain active and healthy.

Question 3

One peroson household

Answer 3

• Increase: One-person pensioner households now make up about 12.5% of all households.
• Impact: Greater demand on public services.
• Gender Aspect: Most one-person pensioners are female due to longer life expectancy and often being younger than their partners.

Question 4

Dependency ratio

Answer 4

Definition: The dependency ratio measures the number of non-working (dependent) individuals compared to working-age individuals.
• Current Ratio:
• 2015: 3.2 working-age people per pensioner.
• 2033 (Projected): Ratio expected to fall to 2 working-age people per pensioner.
• Economic Impact: An ageing population increases the dependency ratio, affecting workers through higher taxes for pensions and health care.
• Pension Age Changes:
• 2020: State pension age raised to 66.
• 2026: Will increase to 67.

Question 5

Modern society and old age

Answer 5

• Structured Dependency:
• Negative View: Elderly individuals are often negatively perceived due to their dependence on younger generations and exclusion from paid work.
• Fixed Life Stages:
• Identity and Work: In modern society, identity is strongly tied to paid work and economic productivity, leading to stigma against those not working.

Question 6

Post modern society and old age

Answer 6

• Blurring Boundaries:
• Flexible Stages: Fixed life stages are less relevant, with more lifestyle choices available and traditional roles, like early retirement and late marriage, becoming more common.
• Consumption Over Production:
• Hunt (2005): Identity is now constructed through consumption rather than work. Age is less important as people define themselves through what they consume.