Ageing Societies

Ageing Societies examines the myths, challenges and opportunities behind these figures

The population of the world is ageing. The United Nations have forecast an 80% increase in those over 60 by the end of the century, resulting in 200 million elderly in the developed, and 360 million in the developing world. This change in the population structure will have dramatic and far-reaching implications for societies throughout the world. This book assesses the world implications of societal ageing. Within the context of demographic and gerontological theory, Sarah Harper examines the varying situations faced by different nations at different stages of the ageing process. As well as reviewing existing literature and studies, the book analyzes a variety of international social and demographic primary data, and includes new case material from research in Britain and the United States and China.