AGING - THE PLANET OR US?

The world is getting older and older every day. It’s not our planet that gets older it’s us, the people who live on it. According to a new report, the global population of older people is growing fast. The United States Census Bureau calculated just over half a billion over 65s in 2008. Officials predict this number may be more than 1.3 billion by 2040. Today a very large number of the world’s population is of retirement age.

Researchers say the number of old people may soon outnumber the young for the first time in human history. Our societies, economies and the way we live are changing as a result. An older population pushes up pension and healthcare costs. The workforce has to pay higher taxes to look after more old people. America’s National Institute of Aging reports: “Aging is affecting every country in every part of the world....Global aging is changing the social and economic nature of the planet and causing difficulties.”

Japan is already dealing with these problems and they are expected to get worse. There are many Japanese people over the age of 100 even today and this number is growing all the time. Therefore, Japanese people are trying to find solutions for the possible problems. For example, there is a new industry in Japan to cater for old people. Hardworking engineers and assistants at the universities are developing robots to feed, and clean up after old people. There are even robot companions on sale to keep old people company. These are only a few of the solutions and they are developing more. If the researchers are right, we need to find many more creative ways to help these old people as they are becoming the majority of the world’s population. Think about it before you get older.

Adapted from: breakingnewsenglish.com