CASE STUDY - The UK

Question 1

In 2005, what percentage of the UK was over the age of 65? What could this become by 2041?

Answer 1

In 2005, 16% of the population was over 65. By 2041 it could be 25%.

Question 2

What is the ageing population caused by?

Answer 2

Increasing life expectancy and a dropping birth rate

• People are living longer because of medical advances and improved living standards. Between 1980 and 2006, life expectancy rose 2.6 years for women and 6.4 for men - it’s currently 81.5 for women and 77.2 for men.
• Lots of babies were born between the 1940s and 1960s (after world war 2) in periods known as ‘baby booms’. Those born in that period are now retiring and causing a ‘pensioner boom’.
• Since the 1970s, the number of babies born has fallen. With fewer young people in the population, the proportion of older people goes up.

Question 3

What problems have been caused in the UK due to an ageing population?

Answer 3

• More elderly people are now living in poverty - the working population isn’t large enough to pay for a decent pension. maybe the government should tell rich tax evaders to pay their fuckin share xoxoxo
• Even though the state pension is low, the government struggle to pay it. The taxes paid by working people aren’t enough and as the population ages, the situation gets worse but all u rich, pig eating tories will be absolutely fine xx
• The NHS is under pressure because older people need more medical care than young eg in 2005 the average stay in hospitals or over 75s was 13 nights but the average for the UK was only 8 nights

Question 4

What are the UK’s strategies to cope with the ageing population? (Remember which are good for sustainable development and which aren’t)

Answer 4

1. Raise the retirement age. It is currently 65 for men and 60 for women. This will change in stages so by 2046 it will be 68 for everyone. Soon it’ll be work til u die ha ha
2. Encourage people to take out private pensions - the government gives tax breaks for some kinds of pensions. This way, less people will be dependant on a state pension.
3. Encourage immigration of young people to the UK - around 80% of immigrants from new EU countries in 2004 were 34 or under. this increases the number of people paying taxes
4. Encourage women to have children - working family tax credits support women (and men) who go back to work after their children are born. This makes having children more affordable.

Question 5

Have these strategies worked effectively?

Answer 5

It’s too early to tell if government strategies are working. Even if they do have some effect, it is likely that future generations will have to work longer and rely on their families to support them in old age.