Ageing and youthful populations

Ageing populations Definition: A rise in the median age of the population usually associated with an increase in the proportion of old dependents . Causes of an ageing population: High life expectancy- good medical care; good diet and water supply; good sanitation Low birth rate- emancipation of women; cost of children; emigration of economically active Stage 5 of the DTM

Problems caused by an ageing population Negative impacts: shortage of economically active and economic depression reduced tax income cost of providing healthcare and care homes (elderly tend to get ill more often) reduced spending on education, transport etc. cost of paying state pensions services/amenities are used less (schools, sports centres as they are not used by elderly residents)

Solutions to an ageing population pro-natalist policies increased immigration of economically active increased retirement age private pensions private healthcare increased taxes

Advantages of an ageing population Positive impacts: elderly people have lots of work experience less money spent on schools and natal care lower crime rates Pros and cons of having elderly workers: Pros Cons Lots of experience No maternity/paternity leave May be more flexible with part time jobs May have to retrain More likely to take sick days Harder to invest in Unable to work in manual labour jobs

Case study- UK’s ageing population In 2005, 16% of the UK’s population were over 65 and it is expected to rise to 41% by 2040. Reasons: Increasing life expectancy- between 1980 and 2006 the life expectancy rose 2.8 years for women and 4 years for men. It is currently at 79 for men and 83 for women. Baby booms- lots of babies were born in the 1940s and 1960s. These large generations have and will soon retire, increasing the number of elderly in the UK Falling birth rate- there are less young people to have children but people are now more educated and women are focusing more on careers than children

Problems it causes The UK’s ageing population causes many negative impacts. Pressure on the pension system: there aren’t enough people of working age to pay for an adequate pension for the retired population. State pensions are paid for by the working population through tax. Many elderly people live in poverty: the state pension isn’t large and many people don’t have other savings. Pressure on the health service: older people need more healthcare than younger people.

Youthful populations Definition: A fall in the median age of the population usually associated with an increase in the proportion of young dependents. Causes of youthful populations: High birth rates: lack of family planning no education about contraception high infant mortality no care for old dependents immigration of young dependents tradition of large families Stage 2 on the DTM

Problems caused by youthful populations Negative impacts: cost of childcare and education increased dependency ratio increased cost of child benefits paid by government shortage of workers (short-term) cost of healthcare spending diverted from transport, defense etc

Solutions to a youthful population anti-natal policies increased immigration of economically active privatised education (removes cost from government) privatised healthcare remove child benefits reduced birth rates (contraception, family planning) reduced infant mortality rates greater care of old dependents immigration restrictions

Advantages of a youthful population Positive impacts: lower death rates so less money spent on care homes/hospitals educated and literary population abundance of future workers large future market

Case study- Uganda’s youthful population In 2007, 50% of the population were under 15 and only 3% were over 65. The population is becoming even more youthful. Reasons: High birth and fertility rates- every year 48 babies are being born for every 1000 people and the average number of children for a women is 7 Low life expectancy- the life expectancy is 52 years. There are very few older people, which means the proportion of the population made up of young people is very high

Problems this causes Uganda’s youthful population has many negative impacts. Overpopulation: The population currently stands at 37.6 million people, but by 2025 it is estimated to reach 56 million. This leads to: Pressure on health service: around 6000 women die every year during childbirth and when the youthful population reaches its reproductive years, the pressure will be greater, potentially leading to more deaths. Health system is also under pressure from AIDS as it is hereditary and passed on during unprotected sex. Unemployment could get much worse: In 2003, the unemployment rate was 3.2%. However, 50% of the population were under 15 so weren’t accounted for. When the large youth population reaches working age there won’t be enough jobs for them all, increasing unemployment and poverty.