Population Case Study - Ageing Population in the UK

Population Case Study - Ageing Population in the UK

1. General Information

   • The demographic trends predict that by 2050 the proportion of the population aged 65+ will have doubled
   • Life expectancy is influenced by socioeconomic class and by ethnic group
   • Men in social class 1 have about 4 years longer life expectancy at 65 than men in social class 5.
     • Longevity is greater in more affluent parts of the country
   • The white British and Irish populations have the highest proportions of people aged over 65 years and over
     • The black African population has the lowest proportion of older people
   • Christ Church in Dorset is the pensions 'capital' of the UK with one in three residents of retirement age.
   • Eastbourne has the highest ratio of elderly women to elderly men (100:90)
   • The growing retired population are moving to the countryside as well as coastal areas

2. Impacts - Health

   • Increasing pressure on health resources
     • However people are becoming healthier
   • Retired people continue to pay income tax and other taxes
   • Health costs tend to be compressed into the last years or even months of life - compression of morbidity

3. Impacts - Pensions

   • The state system transfers resources from the current generation of workers to the current generation of pensioners
     • As the population has ages the level of resource transfer required has increased
     • The system cannot be sustained without significant change. There are 4 options:
       • Pensioners become poorer relative to the rest of society
       • Taxes and national insurance contributions devoted to pensions increase
       • The rate at which individuals save for retirement increases
       • The average retirement age increases
   • The pensions act 2007 stated the pension age will be equalised at 65 for men and women between 2010-2020
     • It will be raised to 68+ over the 22 year period from 2024
   • Grey vote
   • Grey pound
     • Tourist industry: Cruising and Saga (50+)
     • B&Q and Homebase use the older age group for their workforce
     • Meals on wheels, cleaners, drivers for hospitals

4. Impacts - Housing

   • As the number of elderly people and life expectancy increases, segregation has taken place - council housing, flats and remaining in the family home
     • On council estates
       • Purpose built bungalows and maisonettes with security access
         • To keep the elderly living in the area to be close to family, friends and social functions
     • Shared accommodation - flats with shared facilities, overseen by a warden
   • Nursing homes
     • Found in inner and outer suburbs where large Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian houses are converted.