Impacts of an Ageing Population Flashcards
What is meant by the dependency ratio?
Gives the proportion of the population that has be be supported by the working population (aged 15-64)
What is the equation for the dependency ratio?
Young people (0-14) + Old people (over 65)/ Working age population (15-64)
What is an ageing population?
It means the proportion of older people is increasing, which also causes an increase in the dependency ratio.
What are social affects of an ageing population?
Increased pressure on public services.
Unequal distribution of older people.
Reduced population growth or population decline.
Longer working life
What are economic affects of an ageing population?
Reduced work force- a smaller proportion of the population is working, which may slow economic growth.
Increased taxes- pensions and services are paid for by taxes and more people claiming pensions = higher taxes.
Spending- elderly have pensions/savings to spend.
Case Study for an ageing population: UK
People over 65 make up a large part of the population and it’s increasing. In 2005, 16% were over 65- expected to rise to 25% by 2041.
- Increasing life expectancy
- Baby booms
- Falling birth rate
What problems does the ageing UK population cause?
Pressure on the pension system- not enough workers to pay for an adequate pension.
More elderly people living in poverty.
Pressure on the health services.
What 3 strategies have been introduced with aims to manage the ageing UK population?
Age of retirement has been increased.
Encouraging immigration of working age people.
Encouraging more women to have children.
