Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population)



Countries By Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population)



Key points



Official Definition of Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population)

Age dependency ratio, old, is the ratio of older dependents--people older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.



Importance

The Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) is a critical macroeconomic indicator for a country as it reflects the burden placed on the working-age population by older dependents.

If this ratio is high, indicating a large proportion of older dependents relative to the working-age population, it can lead to several challenges for the country. A high ratio suggests that there are fewer people of working age to support and care for the elderly population. This can strain social security systems, healthcare services, and pension funds, potentially leading to increased government expenditure and reduced economic productivity.

Conversely, if the ratio is low, it may indicate a more favorable demographic structure with a larger working-age population relative to the elderly dependents. This can have positive implications for the country, such as higher economic productivity, lower dependency ratios, and potentially lower social welfare and healthcare costs.



Top 10 Countries by Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population)

Bottom 10 Countries by Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population)



Regions

Europe

The age dependency ratio, old, varies among the listed countries with Bulgaria having the highest ratio at 34.94% and Andorra the lowest at 19.59%. Countries like Italy, Finland, and France also have relatively high ratios above 34%, indicating potential strains on their working-age populations to support the elderly. While a higher ratio signifies a burden on the workforce due to increased elderly care costs, it also reflects longer life expectancies and potentially a more stable social structure. Lower ratios, as in Andorra and Moldova, may suggest a younger population with fewer elderly dependents but could also indicate challenges in pension sustainability and potential labor shortages in the future.

Far East: East Asia, SE Asia, Australia

The age dependency ratio, old, varies significantly among the selected countries with Japan having the highest ratio at 50.57% and Papua New Guinea the lowest at 4.89%. Japan's high ratio indicates a large burden on the working-age population to support older dependents. This could strain social welfare systems and hinder economic growth. Conversely, countries like Brunei and Laos have low ratios indicating a smaller proportion of older dependents, potentially allowing for more resources to be allocated towards development initiatives. While a high ratio may signify stability and an aging population, it also poses challenges in terms of healthcare and pension systems.

ASEAN

Among the selected countries, Singapore has the highest proportion of older dependents to the working-age population, indicating an aging population with potential strains on social services and healthcare. Thailand follows closely behind, also facing challenges related to an older demographic. Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam show moderate levels of old age dependency, suggesting a gradual shift towards an aging population. Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Philippines display lower ratios, indicating younger populations with potential advantages in terms of workforce productivity but also highlighting the need for future pension and healthcare planning. Brunei and Laos have the lowest old age dependency ratios, indicating younger populations with potential for economic dynamism but also signaling the need for sustainable development strategies to capitalize on their demographic dividend.

Latin America

The age dependency ratio, old, reveals varying demographic challenges among the listed countries. Cuba and Uruguay stand out with the highest ratios, indicating a relatively larger older population dependent on a smaller working-age group. This may strain resources for healthcare and social security. Bolivia, Guatemala, and Honduras have lower ratios, suggesting a potential demographic dividend but also signaling a need for policies to support an aging population in the future. For countries like Argentina and Chile, there is a balance in the dependency ratio. These differences could impact each country's economic productivity, healthcare costs, pension systems, and overall social stability.

Middle East

The age dependency ratio, old, varies significantly among the listed countries, ranging from as low as 1.51% in Qatar to as high as 22.45% in Georgia. Countries like Qatar and Oman exhibit low ratios, indicating a smaller burden of old dependents on the working-age population, potentially advantageous for economic productivity. Conversely, countries like Georgia and Cyprus have higher ratios, suggesting a relatively higher proportion of elderly dependents, which could strain social welfare systems and healthcare resources. This statistic is crucial for gauging each country's demographic challenges, economic sustainability, and future development priorities.



Rivals

Anglosphere v BRICS

Age dependency ratio, old, varies across the selected countries with Canada having the highest ratio at 27.25% and India the lowest at 9.93%. A higher ratio like Canada may indicate a potentially heavier burden on the working-age population to support the elderly, impacting productivity and economic growth. Conversely, a lower ratio like in India may suggest a smaller strain on the working-age population but could also point to challenges in providing adequate social security and healthcare for the elderly. Countries like the United Kingdom and Australia fall in between. Understanding this statistic is crucial for each country to develop sustainable policies and programs to address the needs of an aging population.

Russia v Ukraine

The Age dependency ratio, old for the Russian Federation is 22.84% and for Ukraine is 25.47%. Ukraine has a slightly higher proportion of older dependents compared to the working-age population than the Russian Federation. This indicates a potential strain on the labor force and social support systems in Ukraine. A disadvantage for Ukraine could be the higher burden on the working-age population to support the elderly. Conversely, the Russian Federation may have a slightly more favorable demographic situation. However, an aging population could still pose challenges for future economic growth and social welfare programs in both countries.

France v United Kingdom

France has an Age dependency ratio, old of 34.2% while the United Kingdom stands at 29.5%. The higher ratio in France indicates a larger proportion of older dependents relative to the working-age population compared to the United Kingdom. This could imply higher pressure on social security systems and healthcare services in France, potentially leading to increased government spending. On the other hand, the United Kingdom may have a relatively lower burden in supporting its elderly population. While France may face challenges in sustaining pension systems, the United Kingdom might enjoy a more favorable demographic profile for economic productivity and growth.

Israel v Iran

Iran has an Age dependency ratio, old, of 10.32%, indicating a relatively lower proportion of older dependents compared to the working-age population. In contrast, Israel's ratio stands at 19.69%, suggesting a higher dependency burden of older individuals. Iran may benefit from a younger workforce contributing to economic productivity, but may face challenges in providing adequate support for its aging population. Israel, with a higher ratio, might have a more significant strain on resources but could leverage the experience and skills of older individuals. This statistic implies differing challenges and opportunities for Iran and Israel in terms of social welfare, healthcare, and pension systems.

Saudi Arabia v Iran

Iran has an age dependency ratio, old, of 10.32%, indicating a larger proportion of older dependents to the working-age population compared to Saudi Arabia, which has a ratio of 3.35%. This suggests that Iran may face higher economic pressure in supporting its elderly population than Saudi Arabia. A higher ratio in Iran may strain social welfare systems and healthcare services, potentially impacting economic growth. Conversely, Saudi Arabia's lower ratio could indicate a more sustainable demographic structure with less burden on the working-age population. However, a low ratio in Saudi Arabia may also signal potential challenges in the availability of skilled labor in the future.

India v Pakistan

India has an age dependency ratio of 9.93%, indicating a relatively higher proportion of older dependents compared to Pakistan's ratio of 7.13%. This suggests that India may face greater pressure in terms of providing support for its aging population than Pakistan. Advantages for India could include a potentially larger pool of experienced workers, while disadvantages may involve increased healthcare and pension costs. Conversely, Pakistan may benefit from lower dependency burdens but could face challenges in ensuring social security for its elderly population. This statistic highlights the need for India and Pakistan to develop robust social welfare systems to support their aging demographics.

Turkey v Greece

In terms of the age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population), Greece has a ratio of 34.85% while Turkey has a ratio of 12.01%. This indicates that Greece has a significantly higher proportion of older dependents compared to Turkey relative to their working-age population. In Greece, this high ratio may strain the workforce leading to potential economic challenges such as increased pension burden and healthcare costs. However, it could also imply a more experienced labor force. On the other hand, Turkey's lower ratio suggests a younger population which can be advantageous for economic productivity but may also indicate a future need for social support as the population ages.

China v Japan

China, People's Republic of, has an age dependency ratio, old, of 18.16%, indicating a relatively lower proportion of older dependents to the working-age population. In contrast, Japan has a much higher ratio of 50.57%, showing a significant aging population compared to its working-age group. For China, this lower ratio signifies a potentially advantageous demographic structure for economic growth, with fewer older dependents to support. Conversely, Japan faces challenges such as increased healthcare and pension costs due to its aging population, posing a burden on its workforce and economy. This statistic highlights the contrasting demographic trajectories of the two countries, where China may have a demographic dividend while Japan grapples with the implications of an aging population.



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