Selected indicators of population ageing in the World: Trends, impacts and consequences

Abstract

The macro regional differences expressed through some indicators of population ageing may reflect social and economic disparities in the World. The current research considers the relationship between selected ageing parameters like ageing index, potential support ratio, parental support, the old age dependency coefficient, longevity index and centenarian index in the World macro regions. The main objective of the study is to focus and describe the forecast of population ageing - the demographic phenomenon in the World characterised by a reduction in fertility, a decrease in mortality rate, and higher life expectancy among World population from 2015 through 2050. The gradually declining proportion of youth and productive population in the next decades will be accompanied in most countries across the World by a constant growth in the share of post-productive population. Based on data from the Unite Nations (UN), their section "Population Division, Population Estimates and Projection Section" and the topic "World population Prospects: The 2012 Revision", this study, endeavour determinate and understand actions in health and social sphere, which would lead to alleviation the negative consequences of ageing. Unfortunately, the ageing forecasts for macro regions are not optimistic. Therefore, it will be beneficial to identify outcomes related to specific needs of non-working oldest-old cohorts like the availability of social and healthcare support for elderly people.