THE IMPLICATIONS OF DIFFERENT POPULATION STRUCTURES ON THE BALANCE BETWEEN

POPULATION AND RESOURCES

[CASE STUDY]: An Ageing Population- EAST DEVON
Over 10million over 65s in the UK, 17% of the population.
In the last ten years the crude birth rate in the UK has increased to 13 per 1,000 per year. However,
there is still an ageing population.
Ageing population is spread unequally around the UK.
East Devon is popular for retirement, so has a larger ageing population. Half of the people aged over
65 in East Devon live along the coast in towns like Sidmouth and Exmouth.

Implications of having lots of old people in East Devon:
Resources are stretched.
On a national levels, having an ageing population means there are more pernsions to pay and less
tax and national insurance for the government to collect. This creates a high elderly dependence
ratio.
It is not completely disadvantageous to have ageing populations. The spending power of over 50s is
known as the Grey Pound. It keeps businesses going by contributing money to the local economy.
They take part in coach holidays, such as Saga Holidays. On average the contribute 250bn to the UK
economy. Spend most money on financial, health, beauty and travel industries. They contribute to
society by doing large amounts of voluntary work.
Lots of grandparents look after their grandchildren as nursery fees are high.
McCarthy and Stone are a housing company that specialise in retirement flats. Builiding retirement
homes and flats contribute to the construction industry.
The government want to keep old people in their own homes but they can sometimes require a lot
of specialist care- i.e. raised chairs/ stair lifts.
E.D Council subsidise sports facilities e.g. swimming so old people can afford them.

AGEING POPULATIONS- THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES (UK)


AGEING &
HEALTH
AGEING &
PENSIONS
AGEING &
HOUSING
AGEING & CARE AGEING & THE
ECONOMY
AGEING &
POLITICS
The annual cost
of health and
social care are
significantly
greater for
older people.
A high
proportion of
older people in
the future will
be living alone
and are likely to
require formal
care.
Ageing
population also
puts a massive
strain on the
NHS. Cases of
heart failure in
the ageing
population
were predicted
to rise by 54%
by 2031.
Puts pressure
on A&E.
Increasing
government
spending as
number of
pensioners
increases.
Those in
retirement pay
lower income
taxes as they
are not
economically
active.
12 million
pensioners in
the UK expected
to rise to 60
million by 2050.

Old people move
when retiring
because of the
scenery, climate
etc. E.g. East
Devon.
Become less
independent,
move to
sheltered
accommodation
or get a carer.
Assisted living,
e.g. Mcarthy and
Stone/ Roswell
Court, Exmouth,
East Devon
Increasing
demand for
health care and
social services to
meet the demand
of all the old sick
people.
Results in more
money being
spent on medical
and technological
things such as
hearing aids and
wheelchairs.
Might need to be
a provision of
residential homes
and sheltered
accommodation
that there is
appropriate care.
Government will
have to
implement
national health
care plans.
Less people
working and
paying income
taxes
workers have to
pay higher
taxes.
Shortage of
workers, hence
push up wages
causing wage
inflation.
Higher savings
for pensions
may reduce
capital
investment.
If a higher % of
income is out
into pension
funds, it could
reduce the
amount of
savings
available for
more
productive
investment
leading to lower
rates of
economic
growth.
The Grey
Pound
contributor to
the economy.
Encouragement
of immigration-
young workers
from overseas
can fill skills gaps
in the labour
marker.
UK government
responded to the
expansion of the
EU by
encouraging
workers from E.
Europe which
joined the EU in
2004. Produced
rapid results.
UK government
did not follow
the Scottish
government by
not introducing a
policy of free
residential and
personal care for
those over 65,
this policy was
established in
2002 by the
Scottish
Government.