People are living much longer than before, and this creates enormous pressure on government services. What are some of the effects of a much larger, older population and what can governments do to deal with this problem?

 As the medical care systems have advanced and the fertility rate has stayed persistently low, the demography has shifted to a larger older population. This poses new challenges for the authorities as currently, the economy, health systems, and societies around the globe are organised around the younger population demographic.

The implications of the growing older population, especially those over their sixties, are numerous. There will be a decline in the labour force, as the retirement age is generally between 60 to 65 years. This reduction in the workforce leads to a downfall in both production and consumption, which can affect the sustainability of social security, eventually leading to economic recession. Also, due to widespread ageism, particularly in health-related research and data collection, sustaining the health of the elders becomes difficult.

The problems asserted by the higher share of elders in the demography can be translated into opportunities if the governments can bring reforms to the current system. The first step is to address issues of ageism within society. Also, to maintain a good economy, a lifelong active society could be encouraged by improving the long-term medical health systems, supporting inter-generational interactions, and allowing certified education open to all age groups. Such activities can also help the seniors psychologically. Furthermore, to manage the decline in the workforce, utilising advancements in electronics, robotics, and AI could be an apt solution.

Overall, the ageing population is a result of having a good economy, but this could be maintained in the future by bringing reforms that are also beneficial to the seniors. These include the elimination of ageism, realising the complex nature of ageing, identifying elders with the will and ability to contribute to society, ensuring long-term total healthcare systems, and utilising technological advancements.