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The ageing society
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Today I'm going to talk about the "ageing society" phenomenon. What is the "ageing society"? Scanning the population structure of a society, we might perceive that the old take up the largest parts while the youth numbers is descending.
I remember the first time I was informed of the concept "ageing society" is when I was in senior school taking a human geography lesson. There are two main causes that result in the occurrence of "ageing society". First of all, the born rate in every country apparently decreased from the 1990s to 21 century. In Asian countries, especially China, government policy that limits the children number in each family has imposed political pressure on baby's born. Meanwhile, in western countries, some families, which are called DINK families, stick to "No Children" perception and choose to enjoy the couples' life styles. The second reason is that, the standard of individuals is greatly lifted and the social welfare system has been strongly consolidated at the same time. Though I'm living in a developing country, I can obviously sense the refinement of people's living situation. All above is providing the old with a fabulous environment for stretching life span.
Undoubtedly, the formation of "ageing society" has brought about several problems. First, countries are always scarce of labor resources since the limited youth number. Then the governments are often deprived of ample capital to support the steady and firm welfare system. And usually, one government have to raise up the tax ratio among the businesses and individuals, which is likely to impair citizens'(especially the young people who devote the most to the society) enthusiasm towards work.
How to avoid the exaggeration of this situation? I consider that the government should take the most part of responsibilities. In detail, the kind of policy that restrict the baby's born, such as" one-child" policy, needs to be abandoned gradually. Even in some developed countries, their government should better encourage families to have children. In addition, old people who are not that old may be suitable for some occupations, such as teachers, non-profit organizers,etc. In this way, several quarters insufficient of worker resources could be satisfied. However, this action requires governments' protection and they ought to help create more benign working environment and offer adequate financial support.
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Post comment Comment (11 replies)
- Reply xingyue
- It should appear in a developed country, but it exists indeed in a developing country, so there must be have more difficulties and the government must do more. We are in a dilemma. If we controlled the born rate, this phenomenon must be more serious for the increase of the older. So the gov is loosening the policy actually. On the other hand, it is hard to deal with so many population if give up the policy completely. In all, we need continuously explore effective ways.
- Reply Yuefan
- Indeed, it is actually the matter of china's giant cardinal number of population. I mean, after the foundation of people's republic of China, Chairman Mao didn't consider in a long-term perspective and advocated the people's born blindly, which caused nowadays situation that there are large numbers of old people. I think, in a large part, it is due to the historically political reasons. I'm in favor of your idea that the dilemma cannot be reversed instantly and I also feel that the population structure in China is on the way to be in a benign condition.
xingyue: It should appear in a developed country, but it exists indeed in a developing country, so there must be have more difficulties and the government must ...
- Reply laurendong
- On the one hand, a complete social welfare system should be built, which falls with the responsibility of the government. As you put it, it's the policy they made that has led to the current situation, while the current social welfare system can merely cover average medical fees, let alone the fee of aged care.
On the other hand, an ageing society can also become an opportunity. As the aged population grow larger, it's a good chance for the Chinese market to develop in itself a more mature and comprehensive industry of health care and aged support.
Your writing's getting better. Keep on with it:)
Best regards,
Lauren
- Reply Yuefan
- Yes,you are right. The social welfare system is indeed a safeguard for the public and its level of development is a significant criteria judging whether one modern country functions well or not. Additionally, as you said, the markets for aged are being reclaimed and that's really a good chance for this kind of industry. But I also wonder if this market becomes saturated some day, how to cope with situation? For example, in recent years, multiple of enterprises manufacturing health products and clothes earmarked for ages come forth, if it will become a problem that, maybe after a half century, there are no longer such considerable numbers of elders as customers? I think, on that time, confronted with this issue, governments have to work out countermeasures modulating industry's structure.
laurendong: On the one hand, a complete social welfare system should be built, which falls with the responsibility of the government. As you put it, it's the poli ...
- Reply laurendong
- I trust the market is not yet saturated, but yes, the risk exists for companies who are devoted to cater aged consumers. I quite agree with you on that one.
Yuefan: Yes,you are right. The social welfare system is indeed a safeguard for the public and its level of development is a significant criteria judging wheth ...
If I were to do the prediction, I'd say this section of the market has not fully grown, therefore, companies can take their time perfecting their service and competing with each other. Governed by the law of economics, winners will stand out when it's time. These few winners, I believe, are capable of dealing with a declining aged population, without having much to lose.
Thank you for this detailed discussion! It's been inspiring:)
- Reply teadrinking
- It is now the very problem we meet, this situation is now much worse than what it is now in Japan on some level.
To solve this problem needs such a strategic plan, such as cancling the one-child policy, improve the work environment and welfare stimulating the demand of a new round of ecomonic growth.
This a profound phenomenon, many researches and works needed to be done to discover new findings.
- Reply Yuefan
- I read the news that some metropolitans, like Shanghai, Guangzhou have updated the baby's born policy,namely, financially-abundant families can gain the access to have more than one child. I think, that's a progress.
teadrinking: It is now the very problem we meet, this situation is now much worse than what it is now in Japan on some level.
To solve this problem needs such a s ...
- Reply Yuefan
- You've spoken out the way that market economy performs in. The matter of business market is related to the joint of government's macroscopical control and market's own readjustment. However, from the time when China entered WTO, the role that adjusting ability of markets are playing is considered to be put on the first place. I also believe, one country's economy structure and environment are changing as the changes of time.
laurendong: I trust the market is not yet saturated, but yes, the risk exists for companies who are devoted to cater aged consumers. I quite agree with you on tha ...
I'm glad to discuss this issue with you from a deeper perspective. Hope the next detailed discussion!
- Reply laurendong
- Thank you for the insights! Economy is such a complex thing and I'm not a professional. The best I can do is to deduct from the little things I know, and keep my finger crossed to hope that I am right, lol.
Yuefan: You've spoken out the way that market economy performs in. The matter of business market is related to the joint of government's macroscopical control ...
Have a nice day.
Lauren
- Reply Yuefan
laurendong: Thank you for the insights! Economy is such a complex thing and I'm not a professional. The best I can do is to deduct from the little things I know, ...
I find it so funny to analyse a social issue. In daily life, there're not many people, even closed friends, willing to get down to examine issues in more depth. I feel so happy to discover this platform on which I get access to post my viewpoints and exchange minds with others. haha....it seems like an ad for dioenglish, but this is what I really think about.
- Reply laurendong
- Indeed. Friends tend to talk about daily life things, more of a gossip kind (for girls at least). Breaking down social issues step by step like this is not normally included in daily conversations. These topics are considers somewhat...too serious.
Yuefan:
I find it so funny to analyse a social issue. In daily life, there're not many people, even closed friends, willing to get down to examine iss ...
