In contemporary society, the advancements in the healthcare system and preventive medicine are lengthening the lives of the elderly, leading to higher life expectancy rates. Whilst some argue that this phenomenon enhances quality of life in the long term, I feel strongly that its disadvantages outweigh the advantages inasmuch as an increased life expectancy causes overpopulation and tightens the labour market for graduates.
Firstly, it is patently obvious that the elevated population density certainly warrants painstaking consideration. One of the reasons is concerned with the premise that physical space and resources on Earth are rather limited and, crucially, their depletion will not permit younger generations to develop the lifestyle the elderly once had. A clear manifestation of this is illustrated in the collapsed Spanish healthcare system, which has shifted its focus towards treating the oldest population, yet the future of our species depends entirely on the adults to come. Another point equally worth paying heed to is the fact that graduates are experiencing pressing complications when it comes to progressing professionally. Not only does this have further implications for their job prospects, but it also delays the technological progression of businesses, as the ageing population lacks the skills needed to implement artificial intelligence systems.
On the other hand, some individuals hold that an augmented life expectancy is conducive to experiencing a more enriched life. Plausible though this argument may seem, it overlooks that ageing also involves more limitations and health constraints, significantly lowering the quality of the later years. Therefore, it is less a matter of quantity rather than it is of quantity, as with years comes the inevitable barrier of a weakened body. For instance, a survey conducted in Dublin has proven that witnessing the limitations of the body caused by age is detrimental for people’s life satisfaction.
In the final analysis, whereas a higher lifespan may elevate quality of life, I am inclined to believe that this view fails to account for the overpopulation and limited career opportunities that it inevitably entails.