Is the ageing population the problem it is made out to be?

Author: Shaw F.

Source: Foresight - The journal of future studies, strategic thinking and policy, Volume 4, Number 3, 2002 , pp. 4-11(8)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $38.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

It is said that the ageing population in developed countries will cause state pension systems to collapse, cripple national health services and place unacceptable burdens on the state in terms of social benefits. This article challenges several prevalent myths about population ageing and repudiates the idea that ageing is a major economic and social burden. While it is indisputable that all advanced industrialised societies are ageing, this social fact has become a kind of mantra for opponents of the welfare state and for a collection of alarmists.

Keywords: Demographics; Older People; Population; Welfare

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2002-08-28