Population Change - UK

Question 1

What is UK the case study for?

Answer 1

EU ageing population

Question 2

What are the issues of an ageing population in the UK - Population structure?

Answer 2

• More old people than young people so there’s a high dependancy ratio.

Question 3

What are the issues of an ageing population in the UK - Healthcare?

Answer 3

• More demand for healthcare because more illnesses in old age
• The elderly visit their GP more often
• Half of the NHS budget is spent on treating people over 65

Question 4

What are the issues of an ageing population in the UK - Social services?

Answer 4

• Elderly need other services such as nursing homes, day-care centres
• These needs are expensive

Question 5

What are the issues of an ageing population in the UK - Pensions crisis?

Answer 5

• Not enough money to cover the pensions cost
• This means we might have to raise taxes for working people or raise the retirement age

Question 6

What is the UK government doing?

Answer 6

• Increased retirement age and pension age
• Reform the pension system
• NHS is restricting drugs for diseases of old age
• Increasing benefits for pregnant women to increase the birth rate
• Welcomed migrant workers

Question 7

Advantages of elderly in the UK?

Answer 7

• Many do voluntary work or look after their grandchildren
• Spend lots of money in the leisure sector at off peak times
• Some companies have built successful businesses off of the elderly (mobility vehicles, chair lifts)
• Some people will keep on working
• Pensioners keep on paying tax