Ageing Population: Demography

What is meant by an ageing population?

the average age of the population is increasing and a growing proportion of individuals are aged 65 and over

What are the three main causes of an ageing population?

• increasing life expectancy

• declining infant mortality

• declining fertility rates

How does increased life expectancy contribute to an ageing population?

medical and social advances mean individuals are living longer

How does declining fertility contribute to an ageing population?

fewer babies are being born, increasing the proportion of older individuals

What is the dependency ratio?

the relationship between the working-age population and the non-working dependent population

Why does an ageing population increase the dependency ratio?

more retirees depend economically on fewer working individuals

What economic pressures are created by an increased dependency ratio?

higher taxation on the working population to fund pensions, welfare, and healthcare

What is a key policy response to an ageing population?

increasing the state pension age (66, rising to 67 and possibly 70)

How does an ageing population affect public services?

increased demand for the NHS, social care, and housing

What is a one-person pensioner household?

a household where a single elderly individual lives alone

What is the main reason why one-person pensioner households are increasing?

longer female life expectancy

What did Chambers (2012) call the trend of longer female life expectancy?

the feminisation of later life

What is a beanpole family?

a family structure with fewer children but more surviving generations

Why are beanpole families increasing?

increased life expectancy means more generations are alive at the same time

What role do elderly relatives play in beanpole families?

they often provide childcare for working parents

What is a positive effect of beanpole families?

stronger intergenerational relationships between grandparents and grandchildren

How does Blaikie (1999) view ageing?

ageing is not just dependency but can involve health, activity, and independence

What is ‘the third age’?

a stage of life where older individuals are active consumers and enjoy leisure and independence

What activities are associated with the third age?

• travel

• fitness

• consumption of lifestyle/anti-ageing products

What did Hirsch (2005) argue about ageing?

it creates major policy challenges for pensions, housing, and social care

How does a modernist perspective view old age?

as a time of decline, dependency, and reduced status

How does a postmodernist perspective view ageing?

identity is shaped by lifestyle and consumption rather than age

How do older individuals appear in postmodern society?

as active consumers rather than passive dependents

What did Pilcher (1995) argue about inequality in old age?

old age is shaped by class and gender differences

How does social class affect ageing?

working-class individuals often have lower life expectancy and less generous pensions

How does gender affect ageing?

women tend to have lower pensions and face greater ageist stereotyping