The Problems caused by an older population And what can be done about them.

And what can be done about them.

What are the facts? • In the UK the proportion of people retired will grow from 20% in 2000 to 40% by 2040 • In Italy the country spends 19% of its GNP on the pensioners who make up 18% of the population - In 2025 it is estimated that 25% will be pensioners and 33% of GNP will have to be spent on them • Pensioners are costing more money due to residential homes, health care, social services (home helps etc), increased long term illnesses such as Alzheimer's and they take up a lot more of a Doctor's financial budget & time

• In the UK the proportion of people retired will grow from 20% in 2000 to 40% by 2040

• In Italy the country spends 19% of its GNP on the pensioners who make up 18% of the population - In 2025 it is estimated that 25% will be pensioners and 33% of GNP will have to be spent on them

• Pensioners are costing more money due to residential homes, health care, social services (home helps etc), increased long term illnesses such as Alzheimer's and they take up a lot more of a Doctor's financial budget & time

What problems do the elderly face? Many have to live alone - especially women- this causes social isolation and loneliness Most cannot afford the cost of residential homes and have to sell their homes to fund it There are long waits for hospital care- and the elderly have more health needs Those in rural areas have problems getting around due to being too old to drive and few bus services Those living in urban areas are fearful of crime

Many have to live alone - especially women- this causes social isolation and loneliness

Most cannot afford the cost of residential homes and have to sell their homes to fund it

There are long waits for hospital care- and the elderly have more health needs

Those in rural areas have problems getting around due to being too old to drive and few bus services

Those living in urban areas are fearful of crime

How are governments trying to solve this problem? In the Uk the Government has increased the age of retirement from 60 to 65 for all people and plans to raise it higher in the future. This means that people are working longer and are still contributing to the tax system and paying national insurance contributions, rather than taking a pension and other entitlements e.g. free prescriptions which cost the Government millions of pounds a year.

In the Uk the Government has increased the age of retirement from 60 to 65 for all people and plans to raise it higher in the future. This means that people are working longer and are still contributing to the tax system and paying national insurance contributions, rather than taking a pension and other entitlements e.g. free prescriptions which cost the Government millions of pounds a year.

How are governments trying to solve this problem? This has also happened in Italy, where the retirement age is now 67 instead of 65. To encourage larger families the Italian government gives a ‘baby bonus’ to people - £6000 a child. This means the birth rate does not drop and there will not be a shortage of young people in the work place in the future who are needed to support the elderly population.

This has also happened in Italy, where the retirement age is now 67 instead of 65.

To encourage larger families the Italian government gives a ‘baby bonus’ to people - £6000 a child. This means the birth rate does not drop and there will not be a shortage of young people in the work place in the future who are needed to support the elderly population.

How are governments trying to solve this problem? In some countries e.g. Germany immigration from poorer countries has been encouraged to increased the workforce. Turkish workers, often builders and construction workers come to Germany on two year work permits. This is a temporary solution to the lack of skilled workers. In the UK workers from the EU especially from Poland and Portugal have been filling the surplus jobs in unpopular sectors e.g. nursing/care work and vegetable picking. The EU workers pay tax and national insurance which boosts the UK economy and means the shortage of UK nationals to fill the positions are minimised.

In some countries e.g. Germany immigration from poorer countries has been encouraged to increased the workforce. Turkish workers, often builders and construction workers come to Germany on two year work permits. This is a temporary solution to the lack of skilled workers.

In the UK workers from the EU especially from Poland and Portugal have been filling the surplus jobs in unpopular sectors e.g. nursing/care work and vegetable picking. The EU workers pay tax and national insurance which boosts the UK economy and means the shortage of UK nationals to fill the positions are minimised.

How are governments trying to solve this problem? In France and Poland bonuses are given to women for each child they have In Poland women receive a on-off payment of around 1,000 zlotys for each child. Women from poorer families receive double that amount. In France better child care facilities have also been provided for working parents and paternity leave has been increased and encouraged.

In France and Poland bonuses are given to women for each child they have

In Poland women receive a on-off payment of around 1,000 zlotys for each child. Women from poorer families receive double that amount.

In France better child care facilities have also been provided for working parents and paternity leave has been increased and encouraged.

Finally.... People are being encouraged to save for their retirement in pensions and investments. Facilities such as nursing homes and care workers will be needed, perhaps in preference to schools and nurseries as the population gets older. Educated and skilled migrants could be encouraged as they contribute to the economy E.G. Polish dentists the the UK