Band 6+: The birth rate in most developed countries is predicted to begin to fall over the next 50 years. By 2030 it is estimated that over one-third of the population in most developed countries will be aged 65 and over: What effects will these predictions have on developed countries if they prove true? What can be done now to deal with this situation? Give reason for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. OR Many developed countries now have large numbers of people over the age of 65. What problems might this cause? How can the problems be solved

Nowadays, a lot of people worry about the birth rate in advanced countries, because it is expected that it is about to plummet over the next 50 years, and by 2030, the number of people who are older than 65 will have increased by a third. If governments fails to address this demographic decline, they will have a devastating impact on their economy and the health of future generations. For tackling this issue, the government should offer financial aid to young families and households. ‘

By 2030 the percentage of people aged 65 and older will have risen significantly, increased by a third, and the number of newborns will have declined, which means that population will be getting older, and that there will not be enough workers to replace them and pay taxes for them. Therefore, it is obvious that if there are less people to pay taxes, government will encounter pension expanses issues, and labor shortage will also be one of the problems. When government have problems with labor market, they have problems with the economy, which leads to new laws, for example to increase the official retirement age to 70 or older. However, increasing retirement age will cause new problems, because not all older people can endure the physical and mental strain of work, it is especially acute in jobs where strength is required. So government will have to provide healthcare for older people, and make sure that younger generation grows up healthy, safe, and physycally resilient enough to sustain the future workforce.

Most young families or couples often decide to postpone having children, there can be a few reasons of that. Fist of all is that in most urban areas in advanced countries young couples just can not afford themselves to buy a house, because of the price. Therefore, if government provide them with affordable housing, more young couples would be able to start families. Career prospects and financial stability can be regarded as key factors influencing young people’s decisions to start a family, thereofre, by helping them with housing, government could reduce the financial burden on young couples. Secondly, having kids becomes harder if both parents work a full- time job, as they may struggle to spend enough time caring for their children. Additionally, as the population ages, young adults have to take care of their elderly parents, which adds more pressure on working families. The government could invest into childcare facilities, as such support is essential for parents who are not able to find balance between work and family.

In conclusion, as the population ages and birth rates are declining, there may not be enough young people to replace those who retire. With a shortage of young people, labor markets may suffer badly, and retired people may have problems with getting their pension, because there are not enough people to pay taxes. So in order to solve the issue the government should help young couples to find affordable housing, it will save them a lot of money that could be spent on raising children and supporting their elderly parents.