Demographic aging refers to a phenomenon where the proportion of older individuals in a population increases. The phonetic transcription of this word is /dɛ.məˈɡɹæf.ɪk ˈeɪ.dʒɪŋ/. The stress is on the second syllable 'muh'. The pronunciation of the first syllable is 'deh', followed by 'muh'. The second word is pronounced as 'age' with stress on the second syllable, followed by 'ing'. The spelling of 'demographic' comes from Greek root 'demos' meaning 'people' and 'graphy' meaning 'writing or recording'.
Demographic aging refers to a process characterized by a significant increase in the proportion of elderly or older individuals within a population, coupled with a decrease in the proportion of younger people. It is a phenomenon that occurs due to a combination of longer life expectancy and declining birth rates. As a result, the overall age structure of a population shifts towards an older age group, leading to a potential imbalance between the dependent (elderly) and working-age populations.
This transformation in the age composition of a population is a significant global trend observed in many countries across the world. Demographic aging has important social, economic, and political implications. For instance, it poses challenges to the sustainability of social security systems as a shrinking working-age population carries the burden of supporting a larger elderly population.
Moreover, demographic aging influences various sectors, including healthcare, labor markets, and the overall economy. It necessitates adjustments in retirement policies, healthcare services, and the development of age-friendly environments to cater to the changing needs of an aging population. Additionally, it can lead to a potential decline in economic growth as a smaller workforce may result in a reduced pool of talent and productivity.
Overall, demographic aging is a complex phenomenon that requires careful planning and adaptations in various aspects of society to ensure the well-being and prosperity of both present and future generations.
The word "demographic aging" refers to the phenomenon of an increasing proportion of older individuals in a population. The etymology of this term can be understood by breaking it down into its constituent parts.
1. Demographic: The word "demographic" comes from the Greek word "demos", meaning "people", and "graphē", meaning "writing" or "description". It was coined in the early 19th century and initially referred to the statistical study of populations, including factors such as age, sex, occupation, and education.
2. Aging: The word "aging" or "ageing" is derived from the Middle English word "agen" or "ayen", meaning "to grow old" or "to ripen". It can be traced back to the Old English word "ægan", which also meant "to grow old".