Demographic Issues in Developed Countries Chapter 7

 Population implosion – rapid population decline in developed countries as a result of low fertility rates.  Birth Dearth – low total fertility rate

Where is the “Core” (dev. world) Pop. Headed?  Experts anticipate by 2100 (in your children’s lifespan) the pop. of dev. world could drop 50% to 600 million NORTH AMERICA  Projected to go from 330 to 250 million Japan, Australia, and New Zealand  From 150 million to 70 million by 2100 Europe  Most affected area  Already declining drastically  Decline will accelerate as today’s small families have small families  Europe’s total pop. Will = current pop of Russia, Germany and France

“What are the Implications of the Birth Dearth?” Reading  Do Structured Overview Activity.

LINKS and DINKS  LINKS – Low Income No Kids What are the issues?  DINKS – Double Income No Kids What are the issues?

Family structure  Single child family very common  This becomes a strain on the children to look after elder parents.  People have become very career focused (DINKS.)  It is expected that many will live their elder years in poverty relying on the government to assist.

Aging population  Huge change in the population pyramid. If trends continue in Europe, by % of the population will be 60+. It is projected that between 1990 and 2030 the pop. Of people over 60 will go from 500 million to 1.5 billion.  The obvious impact is spending huge amounts of dollars on caring for elderly (pension and health care).  people working for every person receiving Soc. Secur.  2030 – 2 people working.

How to help the Soc. Security system  Lower pension benefits for each person  Increase the amount each person pays.  Base the soc. Security on income (wealthy don’t get as much.)  Look at Figure 7-5 Spain

Labour shortage  People want to retire much earlier now instead of at age 65. A labour shortage already exists in some areas: Computer engineering, nursing, teaching. Countries will often have to bring in workers to fill the jobs.  Freedom 55  Freedom 70?  Half of Europe’s pop will be over 60  “Guest workers” (migrant workers) Countries with anti-immigrant policies will have to change.

Economic effects  The economy is based on growth of both goods and services from the citizens and need to provide for the population. As the population declines the economic growth declines.

Shift in World Power  The UN Security Council was formed with its 5 permanent members being the most powerful at the time (1949). Who are they?  Look at Figure 7-8 p109 Are they still the most powerful?  Why give a majority of power to a minority of the pop?