In some countries the percentage of 15 year-olds in the population is already significant and is continuing to grow. Are there more advantages or disadvantages to this trend?
Merits
A bright future for society since it will have an abundance of able-bodied adults to serve strategic sectors of economy.
This also promises innovation, new ideas and also continued enthusiasm to attain new goals in every walk of life.
The society will see more and more sporting personalities rising to prominence.
Increase in tax payer base in next 5 to 6 years, helping raise the revenues of governments
More people will be available to take care of those in their autumn years. (old people)
More economic productivity by virtue of these people consuming more and more goods and services.
Demerits
increased outlay on higher education and ancillary facilities
Rise in pollution.
Expected multiplication in the population over the next few decades, compelling governments to plan money intensive programs to bolster the rising populace
Rise in crime is a common phenomenon experienced in several societies
Undoubtedly, there is a fierce debate regarding the increment of the ratio of teenagers in the populace; some assert that this phenomenon/trend is associated with umpteen benefits, while others dissent to the former notion. I shall elucidate its pros and cons in the following paragraphs.
To begin with, the modern school of thought professes that this is likely to bring humongous pros, especially for the high-tech industries since these youngsters are growing in an era dominated by advanced technology, and are expected to consume it in myriads of forms tomorrow, precipitating a bright future for those engaged in inventing, producing and selling the state-of-the-art equipment. Consequently, the economic activity would also receive a boost since the rising use of apparatus and other tools will not only stipulate higher production that would churn out more jobs but also result in more trade.
Also, such a trend is likely to present brighter prospects for the state when it comes to supporting the ageing populace and funding developmental projects: as these individuals grow up, they will work, and pay taxes, and policy makers will be able to use the revenues raised to bolster those in their autumn years through pensions and health support, and also for establishing initiatives aimed at developing society: transport, education, communications. Above all, this sector of population would don the role of professionals: doctors, teachers, and so on, besides serving in law enforcement and military forces, serving society with their skills for its betterment.
Nevertheless, other lobby opines that this phenomenon would precipitate higher pollution, for instance, in the coming future, these growing individuals would use vehicles more and more, and heighten pollution of all kinds: air, noise, and so on, thereby significantly impacting the environment, the health of people. Moreover, investments would have to be incremented into creating an elaborate educational infrastructure to educate this greater proportion. On top of that, the likelihood of crimes becoming ubiquitous/common would also witness a surge, deepening/ making worse the woes of society.
To recapitulate, I vehemently agree with the former perception and believe that the advantages of the growing ratio of adolescents outweigh the disadvantages. New generation will be smarter and capable enough to contribute to the economy of the country.
