The document discusses trends in Australia's aging population from 1901 to 2061. Some key points are: - The percentage of the population aged 65 and over is projected to increase from 14% in 2013 to 31% in 2061. - Labor force participation rates of those aged 55 and over have been increasing steadily since the late 1970s. - An aging population can provide economic and social benefits such as a decreased percentage of life spent childrearing, more opportunity for work and volunteering, and potentially less crime and violence.

1. The Benefits of an Ageing Population
Katharine Betts
kbetts@swin.edu.au

2. 2
1901, 3.8 million people

3. 3
1901, 3.8 million people
4%
35%
61%

4. 4
In 2013, 23.3 million

5. 5
In 2013, 23.3 million
14%
68%
18%

6. 6
Baby boomers (aged 51-66) in 2013

7. 7
In 2061, 27m (TFR 2.0, Hi LE, NOM 0)

8. 8
In 2061, 27m (TFR 2.0, Hi LE, NOM 0)
31%
53%
16%

9. 9
Population, June 2009, age, sex and dependency
(900,000) (700,000) (500,000) (300,000) (100,000) 100,000
0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85-89
90+
Males
(100,000) 100,000 300,000 500,000 700,000 900,000
0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85-89
90+
Profound or
severe
disability
Infants
Not in labour
force
Unemployed
Employed part
time
Employed full
time
Studying
Females
15
64

10. Participation rates, 55+, 1978-Sept 2014
10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Feb-1978
Feb-1979
Feb-1980
Feb-1981
Feb-1982
Feb-1983
Feb-1984
Feb-1985
Feb-1986
Feb-1987
Feb-1988
Feb-1989
Feb-1990
Feb-1991
Feb-1992
Feb-1993
Feb-1994
Feb-1995
Feb-1996
Feb-1997
Feb-1998
Feb-1999
Feb-2000
Feb-2001
Feb-2002
Feb-2003
Feb-2004
Feb-2005
Feb-2006
Feb-2007
Feb-2008
Feb-2009
Feb-2010
Feb-2011
Feb-2012
Feb-2013
Feb-2014
Sep-2014
%
Males 55-59
Males 60-64
Males 65 plus
Females 55-59
Females 60-64
Females 65 plus

11. 11
Labour-force participation by % 65+, 31 OECD nations, 2012
45505560657075808591113151719212325

12. 12
Health care costs rose $41.5 billion, 2002-03 to 2012-13…
01020304050607080901001 % AgeingPopulationgrowth Health inflationabove CPIImproved (andmore) services

13. 13
Health-care expenditure as % of GDP by % 65+, 31 OECD countries, 2011
n46810121416188131823

14. 14
Australia: Profound or severe disability, 65 plus, 2003 to 2012
0102030405060708065–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990+ Males 2003Males 2012Females 2003Females 2012

15. 15
Nursing home residents, % by age group
1999
2012
65-69
0.7
0.6
70-74
1.6
1.3
75-79
3.8
3.0
80-84
9.8
7.3
85-89
21.3
16.6
90 plus
40.5
35.4

16. 16
Nursing home residents, % by age group
1999
2012
65-69
0.7
0.6
70-74
1.6
1.3
75-79
3.8
3.0
80-84
9.8
7.3
85-89
21.3
16.6
90 plus
40.5
35.4

17. 17
Violence by % <15, 162 countries, 2014
SyriaAfghanisatanIraqRussiaNigeriaEgyptAustraliaR²7=70.2933200.511.522.533.54510152025303540455055%7under71572013 Peace7index72014

18. 18
Benefits Less crime and violence More incentive to invest in education Decreased % of life spent childrearing More opportunity for work, volunteering etc Healthier (a greater % of life in wellness) Happier (a greater % of life in leisure)

19. 19
More benefits (assuming population stability) More money for improving infrastructure More capital goods per worker, increase in productivity Richer (concentration of wealth via inheritances) Reduced competition for positional goods (ie land and housing) Easier to reduce greenhouse gas