Did you know that by the year 2036, there will be more people over the age of 65 in Aotearoa New Zealand than children under 14? The over 65s will grow more than 10 times faster than the under 14s.
The development is similar in the United States, where there will be more people over 65 than children 17 and under by 2035. And behind Japan, the EU provides one of the most distinctive examples of demographic ageing.
People are living longer than ever before and the age profile of society is rapidly developing – our age pyramid is turning into a skyscraper.
I was looking into population data for a project recently and thought this is worth sharing as a reminder. I am wondering how this will influence plans of cultural organisation in relation to life-long learning, accessibility, inter-generational understanding and more? And how do we address the needs of this growing audience while not forgetting the needs of young people? Will there be more resistance to change with an older population or will the new older generations (including ourselves 😉 be more open to change?
Here is more information about ageing population in New Zealand, the EU and the US.
The New York Times looked at the world population development and found that a Long Slide Looms for World Population, With Sweeping Ramifications, when toward the middle of this century deaths start to exceed births . While fewer people could ease pressure on resources, slow climate change and reduce household burdens for women, it also leads to fewer workers and more retirees. This may require a reconceptualisation of family and nation when the current notion that a surplus of young people will drive economies and help pay for the old will be upended.
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