Demography - Ageing Population (OCR A-Level Sociology): Revision Notes

Demography - Ageing Population

The ageing population

• There are now fewer young people and more old people.
• This may be due to the birth rate and death rate declining and a rising life expectancy

Effects of an ageing population:

Older people are consuming a larger proportion of public services. For instance, health and social care due to being more likely to go to the hospital. Also, use public transport more regularly due to free public transport

Evaluation:

A generalisation, some old people remain in relatively good health in old age and stay active by walking

• More one-person pensioner households. There is a large number of older people living alone, especially women due to their longer life expectancy. This may lead to a housing shortage, meaning that less young families have places to live
• The dependency ratio. Older people who no longer work are often dependent on the working population to provide for them when they receive their pensions. Therefore, the dependent population are reliant on the working population for support and as more people retire, there will be an increasing burden on the working population.