Topic statement:

In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of aging populations.

Introduction

With the improving advancement in medicine, research, and healthcare in general, life expectancy in developed counries have increased. People now can live beyond 85 years of age and experience the stage of life called old old adulthood. With this trend, coupled with strict implementation of birth control, the ratio of old to young population become worrisome, specifically in the workforce of the country. I will point out some ways in which we can reduce the impact of this.

The youth's mindset and ageism

The problem that we foresee occurring in the future regarding the imbalance ratio of old to young population has got something to do with the country's workforce. The old ones will eventually retire and there will be less people to take their positions. There is a notion that the elderlies have decreased energy and decreased overall performance, so they are eventually forced to retire. The young ones also probably will not take jobs at some blue-collared works that the old ones have vacated. Another possible threat is the possibility that as the older people get, the more fragile and sickly they become. Healthcare cost will increase as more and more elderlies get sick. This will be a burden to the individual getting sick, to his or her family, to the community, and to the government.

What can we do?

Australia, among many other first-world countries, have opened its doors to immigrants. This is one way that they are able to fill the workforce that their citizens aren't able to occupy.

A suggestion that comes to mind in regards to this topic is to relieve ourselves from the mindset of ageism. If the government and private companies change their rules regarding the topic of retirement, then the old people can still contribute to the workforce of the country. Not all old people are sickly and unproductive; allow the elderlies to make a decision whether they'd like or not to retire.

Summary

To sum up the points discussed, the life expectancy in the developed countries have increased, which poses potential threat to its effect on the country's economy. These foreseen problems put a discrimination towards the old adults, which actually hamper their productivity, more than the effect of their growing age.