Britain's ageing Britain's ageing populationpopulation

Global IntroductionGlobal Introduction

In In 2005, 10% 2005, 10% of the population was over the age of of the population was over the age of 60. 60. In the developing world this was 8% of the In the developing world this was 8% of the population, and in the developed world population, and in the developed world 20%. 20%. This This proportion is expected to increase to proportion is expected to increase to 20% 20% by by 2050. 2050.

In In 2005, 670 2005, 670 million people were aged million people were aged 60 60 years and years and over. This is projected to increase to 1 billion by over. This is projected to increase to 1 billion by 2020 2020 and to and to 2 2 billion by billion by 2050. 2050.

Causes increased life expectancy and the decline in Causes increased life expectancy and the decline in fertility. fertility.

Although ageing of the population has begun later in Although ageing of the population has begun later in the less economically developed world, it is the less economically developed world, it is progressing at a faster rate than in the developed progressing at a faster rate than in the developed world. This is because the relative rates of decline in world. This is because the relative rates of decline in both fertility and mortality are much greater in both fertility and mortality are much greater in developing than in developed countries.developing than in developed countries.

The global average for life expectancy increased from The global average for life expectancy increased from 46 46 years in years in 1950 1950 to to 64 64 in in 2000. 2000. It is projected to reach It is projected to reach 74 74 years by years by 2050.2050.

During the same time period, the proportion of During the same time period, the proportion of children is projected to fall from 33% to 20%.children is projected to fall from 33% to 20%.

The population aged 80 and over numbered The population aged 80 and over numbered 72 72 million million in in 2005. 2005. This is the fastest-growing section This is the fastest-growing section (4.2% (4.2% annually) of global population and is projected to annually) of global population and is projected to increase to increase to 394 394 million by 2050.million by 2050.

Europe is the 'oldest' region in the world. Those aged Europe is the 'oldest' region in the world. Those aged 60 and over in 60 and over in 2000 2000 formed formed 20% 20% of the population of the population and this is projected to rise to and this is projected to rise to 35% 35% by by 2050.2050.

The % of old people and their rate of increase varies The % of old people and their rate of increase varies among countries. In 2005, those aged 60 and over among countries. In 2005, those aged 60 and over ranged from + 25% in Japan, Italy and Germany to ranged from + 25% in Japan, Italy and Germany to less than 5% in most tropical African countries and in less than 5% in most tropical African countries and in the oil rich countries of the middle east that attract the oil rich countries of the middle east that attract young worker. By 2050, the range is expected to be young worker. By 2050, the range is expected to be even wider, from more than 40% in Japan, Slovenia even wider, from more than 40% in Japan, Slovenia and N. Korea to even less than 5% in the African and N. Korea to even less than 5% in the African countries of Swaziland and Liberia.countries of Swaziland and Liberia.

EuropeEurope

In the EU, it has been predicted that by 2025:In the EU, it has been predicted that by 2025: > there will be an increase in the number of > there will be an increase in the number of

people aged 60 and over - a further 37 people aged 60 and over - a further 37 millionmillion

> one-third of its population will be > one-third of its population will be pensioners - 111 million peoplepensioners - 111 million people

> the working population (aged 20-59) will > the working population (aged 20-59) will shrink by 13 millionshrink by 13 million

> the numbers of over-60s will outnumber > the numbers of over-60s will outnumber the under 20s, for the first time in recorded the under 20s, for the first time in recorded historyhistory

Negative aspects (costs).Negative aspects (costs). Positive aspects.Positive aspects. SolutionsSolutions

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4045261.stm

Welcome to the ageing Welcome to the ageing future future By 2025, more than a third of the UK's population will be By 2025, more than a third of the UK's population will be

over 55. We're living longer and staying active until much over 55. We're living longer and staying active until much later in life. So why the pessimism about the rise of Britain's later in life. So why the pessimism about the rise of Britain's ageing population? ageing population?

The underlying cause is that we are living longer and having The underlying cause is that we are living longer and having fewer children - well below the replacement rate of 2.2 per fewer children - well below the replacement rate of 2.2 per woman - but the size of the baby boomer generation, who woman - but the size of the baby boomer generation, who are just starting to retire, is accelerating the trend. are just starting to retire, is accelerating the trend.

By 2014, projections suggest, over-65-year-olds will overtake By 2014, projections suggest, over-65-year-olds will overtake the under-16s. the under-16s.

And by 2025, the number of over-60s will have passed the And by 2025, the number of over-60s will have passed the under-25s for the first time. under-25s for the first time.

Life expectancy at birth is increasing but an even more Life expectancy at birth is increasing but an even more telling figure is the increase in life expectancy after 60. telling figure is the increase in life expectancy after 60.

In the UK, a man who turned 60 in 1981 could expect to live In the UK, a man who turned 60 in 1981 could expect to live another 16 years and a woman almost 21 years. another 16 years and a woman almost 21 years.

By 2003 this had increased to 20 years for men and 23 for By 2003 this had increased to 20 years for men and 23 for women; and according to official UK projections, by 2026 this women; and according to official UK projections, by 2026 this will rise to almost 24 years for men and almost 27 for will rise to almost 24 years for men and almost 27 for women.women.

Discuss the view that the Discuss the view that the challenge of a `greying' challenge of a `greying' population is now a global issue.population is now a global issue.