Population Aging

The study of population aging examines the shift toward older age structures and its causes and consequences.

Scope

It covers the demography of aging, its drivers (fertility decline and rising longevity), dependency ratios, and the social and economic implications.

Core questions

• Why are populations aging?
• How is age structure measured and projected?
• What are the economic and social consequences of aging?
• How can societies adapt to aging?

Key concepts

• Age structure
• Dependency ratio
• Fertility decline and longevity
• Demographic dividend
• Aging society
• Old-age support

Key theories

Demographic transition and aging

Notestein's transition framework explains aging as a consequence of declining fertility and mortality.

Implications of aging

The UN's early analysis framed the economic and social implications of older age structures.

History

Recognized as a consequence of the demographic transition (Notestein) and analysed early by the UN (1956), population aging is now a central concern of demography and social policy worldwide.

Debates

Is population aging a crisis?

Whether aging poses an unsustainable burden or is manageable through policy and the 'second demographic dividend'.

Key figures

• Frank Notestein

Seminal works

• notestein-1945
• un-1956

Frequently asked questions

What is the dependency ratio?

The ratio of dependents (young and old) to the working-age population, a key measure of the burden of an aging age structure.