Abstract
As countries prepare for the future of aging and the aged a basic question is: How do countries compare in terms of their past and projected experiences of population aging? Prospects of an emerging ‘crisis’ or of ‘business as usual’ are both common in the literature on aging and the future. To test these perspectives and obtain an overview of international trends in aging, Chapter 17 (Risks and Resilience) compares selected countries with reference to the risks they face from population aging and their potential resilience as changes occur. The risk analysis reveals substantial contrasts between groups of countries as well as some marked regional similarities. Resilience is evaluated with reference to economic resources, human capital and public policies. Differences in policies supporting family welfare, which in turn reflect economic, social and cultural variations between countries, are closely associated with levels of risk and resilience. The comparisons in this final chapter provide a summary perspective, showing that societies differ considerably in terms of their likely exposure to population aging and their resources for dealing with it.
The trend towards population ageing is bringing about profound changes for all generations and most areas of economic and social activity. As Europe enters the twenty-first century, the demographic trend towards an ageing society is becoming a highly important issue for social protection, the labour market, politics, design and technology, education and culture, in short for the whole economy and all of society. (Walker 1999)
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Rowland, D.T. (2012). Risks and Resilience. In: Population Aging. International Perspectives on Aging, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4050-1_17
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