Increasing the portion of aging people in south Korea
Description
South Korea officially became an aging society in 2000 when people aged over 65 made up 7.2 percent of the population. According to the NSO(National Statistical Office), the number of people aged 65 or older increased to 3.77 million in 2002, compared with 2.2 million in 1990 and 1.46 million in 1980. It is forecast that South Korea is destined to become an aged society with the figure rising to 14.4 percent by 2019. The NSO warns that South Korea will enter an ``ultra-aged society’’ in 2026, forcing the country to treble the current costs for supporting the elderly. Although nearly all OECD member countries face rapidly aging populations, the problem for South Korea is expected to have the fastest pace due to the combination of a low fertility rate and increased longevity, according to an OECD economist
Enablers
＊ Innovation of BT(Bio Technology) - Improve Technology of medicine
＊ Much concern about their health
＊ Development of more wholesome foods
＊ Lower birth rate
Inhibitors
＊ Government's Supporting policy to increase birth rate
＊ Global desease could attack the elder people
Paradigms
young people are under heavy obligations to support old people. Frankly, most people support their old parents who don’t have the capability to earn money. However, in elderly society; Korea will be elderly society in several years they have to not only their parents but also grand parents, even their great-grand parents. It will be a heavy burden financially and also even mentally to the young.
Another problem is the losses of the senior’s self-esteem. Most old people lose their jobs and income. They started to think themselves are incompetent people because of that. Therefore they lose their confidence when they are in the prime of youth and the will to live. They also need to do fruitful working as the young. However, our society doesn’t secure their needs.
Experts
Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare
Timing
Web resources
http://www8.cao.go.jp/kourei/body-e.html[1]
http://www.oecd.org/topic/0,2686,en_2649_37435_1_1_1_1_37435,00.html[2]