Macroeconomic implications of population ageing and selected policy responses

Bloom, David E, Chatterji, Somnath, Kowal, Paul, Lloyd-Sherlock, Peter, McKee, Martin, Rechel, Bernd, Rosenberg, Larry and Smith, James P (2015) Macroeconomic implications of population ageing and selected policy responses. Lancet, 385 (9968). 649–657. ISSN 0140-6736

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Abstract

Between now and 2030, every country will experience population ageing-a trend that is both pronounced and historically unprecedented. Over the past six decades, countries of the world had experienced only a slight increase in the share of people aged 60 years and older, from 8% to 10%. But in the next four decades, this group is expected to rise to 22% of the total population-a jump from 800 million to 2 billion people. Evidence suggests that cohorts entering older age now are healthier than previous ones. However, progress has been very uneven, as indicated by the wide gaps in population health (measured by life expectancy) between the worst (Sierra Leone) and best (Japan) performing countries, now standing at a difference of 36 years for life expectancy at birth and 15 years for life expectancy at age 60 years. Population ageing poses challenges for countries' economies, and the health of older populations is of concern. Older people have greater health and long-term care needs than younger people, leading to increased expenditure. They are also less likely to work if they are unhealthy, and could impose an economic burden on families and society. Like everyone else, older people need both physical and economic security, but the burden of providing these securities will be falling on a smaller portion of the population. Pension systems will be stressed and will need reassessment along with retirement policies. Health systems, which have not in the past been oriented toward the myriad health problems and long-term care needs of older people and have not sufficiently emphasised disease prevention, can respond in different ways to the new demographic reality and the associated changes in population health. Along with behavioural adaptations by individuals and businesses, the nature of such policy responses will establish whether population ageing will lead to major macroeconomic difficulties.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Copyright © 2014 World Health Organization. Published by Elsevier Ltd/Inc/BV. All rights reserved. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Uncontrolled Keywords: sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Global Development (formerly School of International Development)
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Health and Disease
Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Life Course, Migration and Wellbeing
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 06 Feb 2015 15:26
Last Modified: 20 Oct 2022 21:33
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/51496
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61464-1

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