September 2022

China population: pension burden in the spotlight as more than a third of provinces have 20 per cent of population aged above 60

In Liaoning province, 25.7 per cent of the population is aged over 60, while in Shandong the figure is 21.15 per cent Analysts say ageing is one of the biggest challenges facing China, with enormous strain likely for the pension system Citizens aged 60 or over account for more than a fifth of residents in 13 of China’s 31 provincial-level jurisdictions, highlighting growing strain on the country’s struggling pension fund, but possible opportunities for the silver economy. The alarming figure was recently...

US. Understanding the economic impacts of an aging population

Societal aging can affect economic growth, patterns of work and retirement, the ability for families to function, and how government and communities can provide adequate resources for older adults. This episode takes a look at the business of aging. The conversation begins with a macro discussion by diving into the numbers and how the U.S. population is getting progressively older (due to lower birth rates). In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau says the nation’s population has grown continuously older over the...

Australia. Pensioners re-entering workforce would make a ‘tangible difference’

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor has discussed various solutions to Australia’s labour shortage as the Jobs and Skills summit kicks off in Canberra today. “We put a very practical suggestion, a tangible outcome that we get pensioners and veterans – give them an incentive to do more work without losing their pensions,” Mr Taylor told Sky News Australia. “There is enough pensioners and veterans out there who want to do extra work that it would make a tangible difference. “We have heard crickets...

August 2022

​PFA rapped by Danish FSA over alternatives risks

Denmark’s largest commercial pension provider, PFA, has been reprimanded by the country’s Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) for failings in the way it manages its alternative investments, such as private equity, credit and infrastructure. PFA, which manages some DKK725bn (€97.5bn) of assets, said the Danish FSA had carried out an operational inspection of its alternative investments from 16 to 25 March 2021, and based on that, the firm had received five official orders to correct procedures. The five areas concerned were PFA’s...

Elon Musk thinks the population will collapse. Demographers say it’s not happening

Billionaire Elon Musk tweeted, not for the first time, that "population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming." Climate change is a serious problem facing the planet and experts say it's difficult to compare problems. What is clear, demographers say, is that the global population is growing, despite declines in some parts of the world, and it shouldn't be collapsing any time soon -- even with birth rates at lower levels...

Technology can turn Asia’s ageing population problem into a longevity dividend

The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted a fundamental shift in attitudes towards technology in the workplace. Concerns that computers would render workers obsolete are giving way to the appreciation that technology could free humanity from mundane tasks and enable more flexible ways of working and interaction. Crucially, digital technology will help keep older workers in employment and bring retirees back by permitting more flexible work arrangements and reducing the physical or cognitive demands of certain jobs. If mindsets can change, these...

China launches human resources website for older people

China on Wednesday launched a human resources website for older people, marking the first step of building a human resources information service platform for the country's older citizens. Read also New York City pension fund returns plunge in difficult year The website, launched by the China National Committee on Ageing, offers content including human resources policies, human resources knowledge and employment information. Read also Climate Risk and Indian Pension Funds The website aims to build a platform to help older people with employment,...

Dependents to exceed workers earlier than expected in Taiwan: NDC

Taiwan's dependent population will outnumber its working population earlier than previously forecast, according to a report released by the National Development Council on Monday. In its latest biennial report, the government's top planning agency maintained its forecast of Taiwan becoming a "super-aged society" -- with 20 percent of the population 65 or older -- in 2025. Read also US. How to reform Social Security to ensure a sustainable future The working population, however, is expected to become smaller than the dependent population...

Portugal becomes fastest aging country in EU: Study

Portugal currently registers 182 elderly (aged 65 years and above) for every 100 young people (aged up to 14 years), becoming the fastest aging country in the European Union (EU), according to a study published by the Contemporary Portugal Database Pordata. In the past three decades, the elderly population tripled in the country, according to the study, based on data from the Portuguese National Statistics Institute (INE) and published by Publico newspaper on Sunday. In 1990, Portugal registered 66 elderly for...

Philippines has little time to address aging population – Pupulation Commission

The government should start investing on long-term programs to manage the increasing number of senior citizens in the country, particularly on health-care and employment opportunities, the Commission on Population and Development (Popcom) executive director said on Wednesday. “What we need are programs to achieve active and healthy aging, including community-based rehabilitation programs. We also need programs for geriatric care … Eventually, if there are really growing numbers, let’s say beyond 10 million population, we also have to develop programs for...