4. Societies are ageing When does demographic ageing occur? A society ages when the proportion of the elderly population increases in relation to the young population and the total population . If this increase continues over time, the social age structure changes. The population pyramid then evolves into an inverted pyramid shape. Demographic ageing is the result of a strong decline in the birth rate and an increase in life expectancy. The increase in life expectancy Life expectancy has increased in recent decades due to better nutrition , quality of life and medical advances: In the mid 20th centur y, life expectancy was 46 years. It is currently 73 years. By 2050 life expectancy is forecast to be 77 years, and in at least 91 countries it will be over 80 years. There are great differences in life expectancy between the most and least developed regions, but they are decreasing. In 1960, the average life expectancy in low-income countries was under 40. In high-income countries it was over 68. Currently, in the least developed countries it is 63.5. In the most developed countries it is 80.6. The increase in life expectancy in the least developed countries is due to the fact that more people have access to health care, drinking water and sanitation . However, millions of people still lack these essential ser vices. What will the situation be like in 2050? In 2019, 1 in 11 people around the world was 65 years old or over. The UN estimates that in 2050 the situation will be: 10. Evolution of the elderly population by region SOURC E : UN, 2 0 2 0 . 1950 2050 2040 2030 2020 2010 2000 Africa USA and Canada Latin America and the Caribbean Asia Europe Oceania World 1990 1980 1970 1960 I n % 5 0 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 959143_02_p062_h01_evol_poblacion_mayor Sobrante al final Investigate Find information about the anti-natalist policy China implemented between 1979 and 2015. Why was it implemented? What were the consequences? What is your opinion about the policy? Can states change demographics? Developed countries with ageing societies usually take measures to encourage people to have children . For example, they offer tax benefits for large families, reduced working hours for childcare or childbirth allowances. In contrast, middle and low-income countries with high populations implement anti-natalist policies ranging from family planning campaigns to severe penalties. (11) 11. Propaganda for China's one-child policy E X P L O R E One in six people in the world will be 65 or older. In high-income countries it will be one in four. The population over 80 years old will triple. Elderly people will make up 16 % of the global total. In 30 countries they will make up over 28 % (only Japan has currently reached that figure). Most elderly people will live in middle-income countries, where three quarters of the global population lives. These countries are ageing at a faster rate than the other countries. (10) 36
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy