Implications of aged and youthful

Question 1

Social implications of an aged population.

Answer 1

• Care for the elderly may need to be increased. They may need carers or meals on wheels services. Others may need to be placed in homes if they need complex medical care. May cause long waiting lists for services.
• Family life will be impacted. An older child may have to care for their elderly parents. They may need to consider putting them into home, which can cause a strain in family relationships and cause stress.
• Loneliness can become a concern for elderly people. Many elderly people may end up living alone when their partner dies. This can lead to mental health problems and depression.

Question 2

Economic implications of an aged population

Answer 2

• Lots of elderly people means increased medical needs. This can cause a strain on the government economically and the economically active population may need to pay increased taxes to cover the bills.
• The benefits elderly people are entitled to. Today elderly people are living longer, meaning the government have to cover the extra cost of the pensions. The working population may have to pay increased taxes to cover the cost.
• A lower percentage of the people in the workforce means less income for the country. If a large portion of the population are retired, there is a smaller portion of the economically active. They will have to pay more tax to make sure elderly people are supported.

Question 3

Social implications of a youthful population

Answer 3

• Strain on primary schools with overcrowded classrooms and not enough teachers. Some schools operate two half day sessions for different pupils. The lack of individual attention limits the quality of education and what qualifications and careers people can progress into. Opportunities may be limited, leading many into a life of crime.
• Overcrowding: Children may live in very squalid, cramped conditions where illness can spread rampantly. Many children will have lost their parents to HIV/Aids or other illnesses and will be forced to live in orphanages which may be overcrowded or under resourced.

Question 4

Economic implications of a youthful population

Answer 4

• Lack of school buildings and facilities- cost of providing equipment and construction of new facilities may strain government resources.
• In LEDCS people can’t afford the most basic of healthcare and will rely on charity. Medicine will be basic and expensive meaning people will continue to die from treatable illnesses.

Question 5

Benefits of the elderly and youthful populations

Answer 5

• Elderly can provide advice
• Relatives may be able to provide childcare
• Lots of young adults entering the labour market- large potential working age group who can add to the economy