The Global Demography of Aging: Facts, Explanations, Future

David Bloom and Dara Lee Luca ()
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Dara Lee Luca: Mathematica Policy Research

No 10163, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Population ageing is the 21st century's dominant demographic phenomenon. Declining fertility, increasing longevity, and the progression of large-sized cohorts to the older ages are causing elder shares to rise throughout the world. The phenomenon of population ageing, which is unprecedented in human history, brings with it sweeping changes in population needs and capacities, with potentially significant implications for employment, savings, consumption, economic growth, asset values, and fiscal balance. This chapter provides a broad overview of the global demography of aging. It reviews patterns, trends, and projections involving various indicators of population aging and their demographic antecedents and sequelae. The chapter also reviews theories economists use to explain the behavioral changes driving the most prominent demographic shifts. Finally, it discusses the changing nature of aging, the future of longevity, and associated policy implications, highlighting some key research issues that require further examination.

Keywords: economic demography; population aging; longevity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J11 J14 N30 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 66 pages
Date: 2016-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-age, nep-his and nep-lab
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

Published - published in: J. Poot, M. Roskruge (eds.), Population Change and Impacts in Asia and the Pacific, Springer, 2020

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Working Paper: The Global Demography of Aging: Facts, Explanations, Future (2016)
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