In many parts of the world, the proportion of older people is increasing. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages for society?Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Many argue that the higher percentage of elderly in demographic composition has numerous benefits and pitfalls associated with it, and the upcoming essay shall analyse whether the former overwhelms the latter.
To begin with, those rallying this notion, profess that an ascending population of senior citizens could help reduce crime rate. Many police reports around the world agree that cities with more older inhabitants show eighty percent less unlawful activities than those having more young populace, since the they are not in the condition to participate in these endeavors; most of them are suffering from different health issues like difficulty in walking, dementia, and so on.
Having said that, such demographic composition creates an immense burden on society and government, as the number of retired individuals grows, public spending on healthcare, pension, and many more increases dramatically. This inclination puts immense pressure on the young tax payers; they are only one who are contributing towards these endeavors. Additionally, a country experiencing this phenomenon suffers from slowing economic growth. A recent study by Hikasho Miniyaki suggests that the economy of Japan is already suffering due to this, with more old populace there are less number of people contributing towards financial endeavors, innovations, employment, and so forth, and if this continue in the next fifteen years economic growth is going to fall by twenty five percent.
In hindsight, the advantages of those in their twilight years dominating population composition offers few benefits, the shortcomings far outstrip them: this phenomenon is likely to generate huge pressure on the young taxpayers, as well as it leads to slow economic growth of the country.
