Dependency Ratios
A year or two ago I posted a lot on population topics such as fertility, life expectancy, and dependency ratios. For those who are interested in these subjects, I have put an update on dependency ratios on the politics board. Even if you don’t agree with what I say, I’ve given some useful statistical sources.
THANK YOU for a non-hysterical commentary on this subject. Usually children are left entirely out of dependency ratios, so the massive burden borne by taxpayers as the Baby Boomers were raised is completely ignored (perhaps because this post-WWII period of high dependency ratios is now remembered as a golden age). Current rising dependency ratios are in part a sign the population explosion is slowing down, we are living longer, and enjoying more leisure. Yes, they raise some issues but nothing that can’t be handled with some political will and effort. If “rising dependency ratios” are the biggest problem advanced countries face 50 years from now then we will have had a very lucky, very propsperous 21st century.
Very good commentary. The fact that Social Security and Medicare are such huge federal expenses is often used to show how costly seniors are, but that conveniently ignores how most of the funding for education occurs at local and state levels.
Social Security we can pay for, Medicare, and the medical system in general, we can’t. Some sort of overhaul will happen, but what is determined by politics.