Finland’s ageing population increasing at record speed
Finland’s elderly, one of the world’s largest cohorts compared to the country’s remaining population, is growing rapidly, a new survey has found.
Finland ranks third among OECD countries in terms of the largest share of people over 65, the report compiled by the UK-based organisation, Ageing in Place reveals. With 22.49%, Finland trails behind Italy with 23.37% and Japan with 28.79%.
This figure also saw a rapid increase in Finland as only 17.26% fitted in that bracket in 2010.
The trend can be explained by the so-called ‘baby boomer’ generation born after the Second World War. The 100,000 or so babies born yearly from 1946 to 1964 are now either retired or rapidly reaching retirement age.
The survey will likely fuel the debate over the need for higher migration. Retaining a welfare state and being able to provide services for the elderly requires more tax payers.
The survey also makes it evident that Europe is an ageing continent since Japan is the only non-European country to feature in the OECD’s top 20 ageing countries.
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