Population case studies (2)

Population case studies (2)

1. UK (ageing population)

   • Declining death and birth rate
     • countered slightly by migration from Africa, Asia, East Europe etc.
     • Improving healthcare, later marriages, improved contraception/family planning etc.
   • Advantages
     • grey pound
       • Money spent on leisure, holidays etc.
     • grey vote
       • highest turnout is in 65+ age group (78%)
         • policies aim to meet elderly's needs
     • people are living longer, healthier lives
     • Some like to work longer
       • Society benefits from their knowledge
         • job strain
     • lower crime rates
       • less money spent on prisons/policing
     • volunteering
       • 35% of over 75's regularly give up time to help others
       • grandparents fulfill childcare roles due to increased costs
   • Disadvantages
     • healthcare
       • elderly have to visit doctor more often- home visits
       • elderly occupy hospital beds for longer
     • pensions
       • not enough young workers to pay off pensions
       • pension age increase- used to be 65, now people can choose
     • housing strain
       • residential homes must be built on retirement parks
     • social care
       • moral issue
       • increased demand
   • Solutions
     • Increasing pensions
     • forcing younger workers to pay into personal pensions
     • Tailoring work to suit over 65's
     • Pro-natal strategies

2. Iran (youthful population)

   • 2/3 of pop= under 30
   • 1/4= 15 and under
   • Why?
     • When Iran was at war with Iraq it wanted a large population (army) so in late 70's to 80's people were encouraged to marry and have children younger
       • gov realized in 90's that pop= too large. Improved contraception/family planning
       • Job strain
         • 28% of under 30s unemployed
     • healthcare costs e.g. midwives
     • Less spent on care homes/medicines as less elderly
     • Workers always available- more to choose from= better quality

3. social welfare

   • Tower Hamlets
     • Increasing pop due to migration & natural growth
       • varied but youthful age structure
         • range of services
           • basketball court
           • gym
           • schools
       • ethnicity: mostly Bangladeshi
         • mosques
         • travel agencies specialized in flights to Asia
         • Bangladeshi wedding shops
       • low wealth, high deprivation & child poverty
         • homeless shelters
         • poor provision of parks
       • high unemployment/ low paid. Many jobs in service sector e.g Spitalfields
   • Isle of Purbeck
     • decreasing pop due to elderly age structure & out migration
       • Services for elderly
         • care homes
         • bingo halls
         • transport/mobility
         • mobile libraries
       • 98.8% white- churches
       • wealthy area- more money for doctors, pharmacies etc.
       • many retired, may do volunteer or part time work e.g. in post office