Lenus, The Irish Health Repository (Dr Steevens Hospital Library) · 2004 · 24 citations · 0 references
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Social SciencesPublic FinancePublic PolicyFiscal PolicyGerontologyPublic EconomicsDemographic ChangePension PolicyPopulation AgingPopulation ChangePopulation GrowthPopulation PolicyAge-based Population ProjectionsAgeing-related Fiscal PressuresAgeism In PolicyAging-related Fiscal PressuresFinancial Self-sufficiencyPopulation Ageing ProjectionsPopulation Aging ProjectionsPopulation Growth Scenarios
It has been proposed that this 'crisis' will arise because an ageing population will \nresult in a smaller proportion of people of working age supporting an increasingly \ndependent older age group causing an unsustainable depletion of our public \nfinances. In response to this 'threat', proposed policy solutions have focused on \ngreater fiscal discipline, reduced public provision of services in favour of greater \nself-sufficiency, increasing productivity and increasing population growth. \nThe 'apocalyptic scenarios' that have been presented are often based on the \nfollowing assumptions: that older people are a social and economic burden; that the \nageing of the population will result in correspondingly higher dependency ratios; and \nthat there is a linear relationship between the size of the older population and public \nexpenditure. These assumptions are at best erroneous and at worst promote ageism \nin society.