What are the implications of different structures on the balance between population and resources Today we will look at AGEING POPULATIONS Learning Outcomes: 14 June 2016 All will identify what an ageing population ‘looks like’ and why is occurs Most can explain some of the implications of an ageing population Some will categorise the effects of an aging population.

1 - Which stage(s) do you think are likely to have an ageing population? 2 - Which population pyramid shows an ageing population?

3 – What is the dependency ratio? 4 – How do we calculate the dependency ratio? a) (0-19/over 20’s) x 100 b) ( and over/15-64) x 100 c) (60’s and over/20-59) x 100 Ratio between the number of dependent people (children and retired) and people of working age within a population – the higher the number the more dependent people there are in a population. BONUS! What’s this one?

The last 50 years witnessed a decline in the proportion of 0-14 year olds globally from close to 35% to 30%. Over the next 50 years, this figure is expected to decline by a third, meaning that for the first time in history there will be a larger proportion of elderly as compared to those in the 0-14 category.

Replacement Rate: This is 2.12 – the number of children each woman must have to maintain the population at the same level. There are already 50 countries below this level already. Some examples include: Ukraine, Romania, Czech Republic, Turkey and Iran! Why do ageing populations occur? Some are more developed countries with economic uncertainty Some are less developed countries with population policies or greater awareness of the expense of children Why is this list a bit surprising? Q – What is happening to actually cause an ageing population?

Broadband class clips – Why is the UK’s population ageing? YOUR TASK: Make a list of the factors raised in the clip that are causing an ageing population: Baby boom at end of WW2 (1946 – 64) Babies born in 1946 are now in their 60’s People are having fewer children Excellent health care has helped to increase life expectancy

1.Each write the question 2.In groups, take it in turns to respond verbally to the question. 3.Everyone should write down each response given. AllWrite RoundRobin What are the advantages of an aging population? What are the disadvantages of an aging population? Low work force Low tax base People have to work longer Migrants might be attracted for work Reduction in demand for teachers, increased demand for carers State may increase family allowances and other benefits.

Essential: Your task: 1. Decide if factor is an advantage or disadvantage. Tick or cross the box. 2. Colour code the key and boxes to show if the effect is social, economic or political. Stretch: Choose the factor that you think would have the a)Biggest impact on the government b)Biggest impact on the people c)Biggest impact on the economy EXPLAIN why – justify your choice.

SocialEconomicPolitical Possible care of grandchildren The wisdom of older people Role in voluntary/ charity/ community work The ‘grey pound’ and the ways in which the elderly contribute to the economy – spending money on holidays, leisure activities, the demand for houses that leads to construction industry jobs Their role in the workforce in some stores Exclusive provision for older people by some companies such as Saga. Migrants will be attracted for work The ‘grey vote’ and the significance placed on this by the political parties in trying to woo older voters. The raising of the retirement age may be seen as an advantage in increasing the workforce and independence of many The need for healthcare – allocation of hospital beds; dementia – looking after people in the community Role of family and stresses placed within the family unit by looking after elderly relatives Segregation of elderly people in certain areas. Need to provide hospital care for them – cost of hip replacements etc The burden of state pensions, the need for private pensions The need to raise retirement age Increase taxes due to a low tax base The need for housing – residential homes for the elderly, sheltered accommodation, building of small houses on retirement parks and costs incurred in this. Low work force People will have to work longer State may increase family allowances and other benefits to encourage children The raising of the retirement age some may see it as a disadvantage if it means young people cannot get a job. Levels of taxation – to increase to support an elderly population will also constitute a disadvantage.

(15 marks)

5 (d) The question should give the structure of the answer – expect either all advantages and then disadvantages, or reference to social, economic and political in turn. Many will refer to UK, but there is no requirement to do so. Many are likely to begin with disadvantages and then go onto advantages – with this being briefer. Economic advantages are likely to concern the ‘grey pound’ and the ways in which the elderly contribute to the economy – spending money on holidays, leisure activities, the demand for houses that leads to construction industry jobs, their role in the workforce in some stores and the exclusive provision for older people by some companies such as Saga. Disadvantages will relate to the need to provide hospital care for them – cost of hip replacements etc, and the burden of state pensions, the need for private pensions; the need to raise retirement age (which may also be seen as social or political); increase taxes; the need for housing – residential homes for the elderly, sheltered accommodation, building of small houses on retirement parks and costs incurred in this. Political advantages refer to the ‘grey vote’ and the significance placed on this by the political parties in trying to woo older voters; the raising of the retirement age may be seen as an advantage in increasing the workforce and independence of many whilst some may see it as a disadvantage if it means young people cannot get a job. Levels of taxation – to increase to support an elderly population will also constitute a disadvantage. Social advantages may refer to possible care of grandchildren, the wisdom of older people, role in voluntary/charity/community work, whilst disadvantages may refer to the need for healthcare – allocation of hospital beds; dementia – looking after people in the community; role of family and stresses placed within the family unit by looking after elderly relatives; segregation of elderly people in certain areas may be discussed. Some aspects can be covered in two or even three of the categories – depending upon emphasis given.

1 – HEALTH Obviously an ageing population is likely to put pressure on health resources as average healthcare costs rise with age BUT this could be offset by people becoming healthier – longer LE suggests that people are becoming more healthy. Retired people do continue to contribute taxes! Health costs tend to be compressed into last years or even months of life (compression of morbidity)

2 – Pensions The state pension transfers resources from current generation of workers to current pensioners So… Why might this be a problem if there are increasingly more pensioners and less workers? 4 main options suggested 1 – Pensioners become poorer relative to rest of society 2 – Raises taxes and NI or put more of the tax and NI money into pensions (instead of other services) 3 – Encourage people to save for their own retirements 4 – Raise age of retirement

2 – Pensions (cont…) Retired people can actually be an economic benefit! This is known as ‘Grey Pound’. For example: Tourism – Cruising Leisure services eg ‘Saga’ holidays for over 50’s Some companies eg Homebase and B&Q target this age group for their workforce Growing number of elderly people who live alone means that they require support services such as health visitors, meals on wheels, home help cleaners etc

3 – Housing Housing needs for elderly people has started to cause segregation within society EXAMPLES: 1 – On council estates it’s common to see clusters of purpose built bungalows or maisonettes with security access – believed to help elderly remain in community where they have lived most or all of their lives 2 – Sheltered accommodation such as flats or units with shared facilities overseen by a warden. 3 – More Nursing homes are being built for elderly people who have difficulty looking after themselves – Old victorian terraced houses are often being used to convert into nursing homes as they offer the space required.