Edited by Paul Elegbeleye and Olorundare Oluwapelumi
An ageing population occurs when the number of older people in a country becomes larger compared to the number of young people.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
- Explain what is meant by an ageing or declining population.
- Identify factors responsible for an ageing or declining population.
- State the advantages and disadvantages of an ageing population.
Table of Contents
Ageing or Declining Population
An ageing population occurs when the number of older people in a country becomes larger compared to the number of young people.
This usually happens when birth rates fall and life expectancy rises, meaning fewer children are born while people live longer. In such societies, the workforce gradually shrinks as more people retire, leaving fewer young people to replace them.
Countries like Japan and Germany are good examples where the population is ageing. While this situation can bring benefits such as experienced workers and lower crime rates, it also creates challenges like a higher dependency ratio, increased healthcare costs, and slower economic growth.
Factors Responsible for Ageing or Declining Population
- Low Birth Rate:
When families have fewer children, the number of young people in a country reduces. Many couples today prefer to limit the size of their families. This might be because of the high cost of raising children, the desire for better living standards, and the pursuit of careers.
Over time, this leads to a smaller younger generation, while the older generation grows in number, causing an ageing population.
- Improved Healthcare:
Advances in medical technology and healthcare services allow people to live longer lives. Diseases that once caused early death can now be treated, and better nutrition also helps people remain healthy in old age.
While this is a good thing, it means the number of elderly people increases, while the number of young people may not rise at the same rate, leading to a higher proportion of old people in the population.
- Migration:
In many countries, young people leave their homeland in search of jobs, education, or better opportunities abroad. When they leave, the number of young workers in the country decreases, leaving the elderly behind. If this trend continues, the population structure will shifts towards an older age group, leading to an ageing or declining population.
- Delayed Marriage:
Many young people now choose to marry at an older age due to educational, career, or financial reasons. Late marriage reduces the number of childbearing years available to couples, which often results in having fewer children. This contributes to a lower birth rate, and over time, the older age group becomes larger than the younger one.
- Use of Family Planning:
The widespread use of contraceptives and other family planning methods has helped families control the number of children they want. While this helps reduce poverty and ensures better care for children, it also lowers the overall birth rate of a country.
When birth rates remain low for many years, the proportion of young people falls, and the population gradually ages.
Advantages
- Experienced Workforce:
Older people usually have more experience in their jobs because they have worked for many years. This experience can make them more knowledgeable, reliable, and better at solving problems. For example, an older teacher or doctor can use their long years of practice to train younger workers and improve the quality of services in the country.
- Lower Crime Rate:
As people grow older, they are less likely to commit crimes. Young people are usually more involved in crimes such as theft, fighting, or gang activities. In societies with more elderly people, crime levels may be lower because older people are calmer, more disciplined, and focused on peaceful living.
- More Job Opportunities for Youth:
When older workers retire, they leave their positions open for younger people to take over. This creates new job opportunities for the younger generation and helps reduce unemployment among them. For example, when older civil servants retire, the government can employ young graduates to replace them.
- Strong Cultural Values:
Elderly people help in passing down traditions, customs, and cultural practices to younger generations. They often tell stories, teach languages, and ensure that cultural values are not lost. For instance, grandparents can teach children about respect, honesty, and family traditions, which helps to preserve the culture of a society.
Disadvantages
- High Dependency Ratio:
An ageing population increases the number of dependents in the society. When many old people retire from work, they rely on the younger, working-age population for financial and social support.
This creates pressure on the few workers who must provide for both their families and the older generation. As a result, the government and working citizens may find it difficult to meet the needs of everyone.
- High Cost of Healthcare:
Older people generally need more medical care because they are more prone to sickness and age-related diseases. With a growing ageing population, the government spends more money on hospitals, drugs, and healthcare services. Families also spend more on caring for their elderly relatives, which reduces the money available for other needs.
- Shortage of Labour:
When a large number of people in the population are elderly, fewer young people are available to work. This can lead to a shortage of workers in industries, farms, and offices. A smaller labour force reduces the productive capacity of the country, which may slow down economic growth and development.
- Reduced Productivity:
Even when some elderly people remain in the workforce, their energy, speed, and efficiency may not be as high as when they were younger. This decline in strength and performance can lower the overall productivity of the economy. It may also discourage innovation, since older workers are usually less open to new technologies and ideas.
- Pressure on Government Resources:
Governments in countries with ageing populations often spend heavily on pensions, retirement benefits, and social welfare programmes for the elderly. These expenses reduce the money available for other important projects such as education, infrastructure, and job creation. Over time, this financial burden can weaken the economy and slow development.
Summary
- Ageing or declining population means more old people than young.
- It is caused by low birth rates, better healthcare, migration, and family planning.
- An ageing population has both benefits (experience, lower crime) and drawbacks (labour shortage, high dependency).
Tags
Ageing Population, Declining Population, Labour Force, Dependency Ratio, Economic Growth, Unemployment, Healthcare, Birth Rate, MigrationPopulation Growth and Its Effects on Economic DevelopmentPopulation Distribution and Structure in Nigeria Explained ClearlyLearning about ageing population
