Ageing population

Question 1

Define the ageing population

Answer 1

A growing proportion of elderly people (65+) in the population compared to younger age groups

Question 2

What demographic rate has the biggest long term impact on the ageing population

Answer 2

-Falling fertility rates

Question 3

Why does falling fertility rates have a big impact on the ageing population

Answer 3

-Small cohorts of young people move up through the population pyramid over time:
-fewer future workers
-fewer future parents
-Continuously higher old-age dependency ratio
-Low fertility rates shape population for decades, creating a structural imbalance

Question 4

What demographic rate has the biggest short term financial impact on society when it comes to an ageing population

Answer 4

-People are living significantly longer after retirement
-Long term healthcare and social care costs rise rapidly
-Pension systems were designed when people lived fewer years post

Question 5

What are the economic consequences of an ageing population

Answer 5

-Fewer future workers creates pensions pressure
-People live significantly longer after retirement
-Pensions designed when people lived fewer years post-retirement
-More pressure on younger people to pay higher taxes to pay for the care of their elders
-Increased public spending

Question 6

What are the consequences of an ageing population on healthcare and social services

Answer 6

-More pressure on healthcare systems- become more dependent- more health issues
-Long term healthcare and social care costs rise rapidly
-Needs older doctors to work longer
-More NHS strains
-Greater demand for- chronic illness treatments, residential care homes etc.

Question 7

What are the consequences of an ageing population on family structure

Answer 7

-Multigenerational families- intergenerational bonds
-Sandwich generation- trying to balance caring for your children and your parents
-Fewer future parents
-Rise in ‘beanpole’ families
-More elderly dependents within families

Question 8

What are the consequences of an ageing population on social and cultural factors

Answer 8

-Men have lower life expectancy- women may suffer more loneliness
-Structural imbalance
-Worsened experience of older & younger life- older work longer ages and younger pay more tax to fund elders care
-Political power of older voters
-Possible generational conflict
-Changes in housing demands

Question 9

Define ageism

Answer 9

Prejudice or discrimination against people based on their age

Question 10

What are some examples of ageism

Answer 10

-Racist/Homophobes
-Slow
-Lack emotional awareness
-Entitled
-Slow drivers

Question 11

What are some examples of ageism in the UK

Answer 11

-Workplace discrimination- forced retirement, fewer job opportunities
-Media portrayal- elderly often depicted as a ‘burden’
-Social exclusion-older people marginalized in services, technology or community activities

Question 12

Define structural dependency

Answer 12

The reliance of elderly people on working age due to retirement, loss of income or care needs

Question 13

Describe structural dependency in modern industrial societies

Answer 13

-Elderly do not produce wealth or provide labour in the same way as working adults
-They rely on state pensions, healthcare and family support
-This is ‘built into the structure’ of society- not an individual choice

Question 14

Describe structural dependency in pre industrial society

Answer 14

-Older people continued productive work and contributed to family economy
-Dependency was less ‘structured’- more flexible and formal

Question 15

What are the implications of structural dependency in modern societies

Answer 15

-Increased economic and social pressure on working age adults
-Higher dependency ratio and policy challenges

Question 16

What is the post modernist perspective on ageing

Answer 16

-Life stages are more fluid- age is less of a fixed stage & people redefine ageing
-They reject fixed dependency- Not all older adults are dependent-many remain active economically, socially etc
-‘Third age’ concept- stage of life after retirement but before old age dependency- see ageing as a period of opportunity not decline
-Diversity in ageing- ageing experiences vary by class, gender, ethnicity and lifestyle- there’s no ‘typical old age’

Question 17

Describe gender inequality among the old

Answer 17

-Women live longer than men- higher likelihood of widowhood and living alone
-Women have lower lifetime earnings- smaller pensions etc
-Women are more likely to be informal carers- affects retirement & leisure

Question 18

Describe class inequality among working class older adults

Answer 18

-Shorter life expectancy
-Higher rates of chronic illness
-Fewer savings/ pensions- greater financial dependence

Question 19

Describe class inequality among middle class older adults

Answer 19

-Longer life expectancy
-Access to private healthcare, better pensions
-More choice in retirement and leisure

Question 20

Describe the UK net migration trends

Answer 20

-Net migration has been positive in almost every recent year- more settle in UK than leave
-After historic highs in 2022-23- net migration fallen sharply

Question 21

What percentage of the UK population is foreign born

Answer 21

15% of UK population is foreign born

Question 22

What are the main countries of migration to the UK

Answer 22

-India is the largest source of new immigrants
-Other countries include Nigeria and Pakistan

Question 23

What are the causes of Migration

Answer 23

-Economic opportunities
-Political factors
-Environmental factors

Question 24

What are the economic impacts of migration on the UK

Answer 24

+Younger migrant workers help support pensions
+Helps support NHS- doctors and nurses migrate
+More people to purchase goods- supports economy
+Student migration- gain qualifications to enter skilled jobs- strengthen workforce
-Greater demands in infrastructure and housing- strains

Question 25

What are the social and cultural impacts on the UK from migration

Answer 25

+New cultural festivals, foods, diversity and ways of living +More family orientated values implemented into society -Riots, conflicts, violence and protests from people who uphold ant immigration beliefs

Question 26

What are the demographic impacts of migration in the UK

Answer 26

+Helps reduce ageing population- younger migrants +Reduces dependency ratio +More fertile and family orientated

Question 27

What are the political impacts of migration on the UK

Answer 27

-Immigrants often become the scapegoats for Right wing politicians to gain votes -Policies can be contested creating divisions between the UK population