Population aging: a comparison among industrialized countries

Health Aff (Millwood). 2000 May-Jun;19(3):191-203. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.19.3.191.

Abstract

Increasing longevity and declining fertility rates are shifting the age distribution of populations in industrialized countries toward older age groups. Some countries will experience this demographic shift before others will. In this DataWatch we compare the effects of population aging on health spending, retirement policies, use of long-term care services, workforce composition, and income across eight countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. International comparisons suggest that the United States is generally well positioned to cope with population aging; however, three areas should be carefully monitored: heavy reliance on private-sector funding of retirement, coverage of pharmaceuticals for the elderly, and a high proportion of private long-term care financing.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Developed Countries*
  • Female
  • Health Expenditures / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Expenditures / trends
  • Health Policy
  • Health Services for the Aged / economics
  • Health Services for the Aged / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Income
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Long-Term Care / economics
  • Long-Term Care / organization & administration
  • Male
  • Population Dynamics*
  • Retirement