The world - the Western world, at least - is ageing. It's a demographic shift of huge consequence.
Thursday, September 30th 2004, 8:55AM
by The Landlord
For New Zealand, this phenomenon presents two challenges, the first well-understood and widely realised, the second not yet on the national radar screen.
That we have an ageing population is news to almost no one. What is eyebrow-raising is the rate at which the population statistics are changing. Today there are about twice as many children in this country as old people. By 2051, it is projected, there will be at least 60 per cent more elderly than children.
The problems thrown up by the greying of the New Zealand population are many, complex and well enough known.
