In the future, it is expected that there will be a higher proportion of older people in some countries. Is this positive or negative development?

Developments in medical technology and health care systems, among many other factors, are leading to people having longer life expectancy than before. As

this

trend continues, in the future, we can expect the number of

old

Suggestion

older

people will be much greater than that of young people. In several ways, society may benefit from a growing proportion of senior citizens.

However

, I believe the rest of the

world

population would have to shoulder much more responsibilities and the global economy would face a serious

labor

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

labour

crisis. On the positive side, an increase in the number of old people means a greater pool of volunteers for community and government projects. These people are usually more financially comfortable and

therefore

more willing to contribute free

labor

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

labour

to ameliorating their communities.

For example

, we often see old people in developed countries engage in charity work to provide shelter and food for the homeless in their

neighborhoods

a surrounding or nearby region

neighbourhoods

neighbourhood

.

Such

an act

also

instils a great sense of responsibility and altruism into

the young

Suggestion

the younger

generation.

This

is, in fact, globally recognized to be advantageous in a

world

where selfishness

hinders

Suggestion

hinder

one from taking action for the sake of others.

Nevertheless

, aging populations will place the whole

world

under many pressures. Both governments and businesses will have to pay for increased retirement pensions and health care costs, which means

tax-payers

someone who pays taxes

taxpayers

will have to bear a greater financial burden and

the young

Suggestion

younger

workforce will have to work harder and care for the elderly at the same time.

Furthermore

,

lack

Suggestion

the lack

of young

labor

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

labour

workforce would cause stagnation for the growth of individual businesses and the global economy as a whole because little innovation may take place in

this

circumstance. As a matter of fact, many

first

world

countries whose proportion of senior citizens is higher than that of young people,

such

as Japan, are already experiencing these undesirable impacts. In conclusion, an aging population is beneficial in certain ways.

However

, the benefits society may reap from an aging population cannot match the damage it inflicts. It is important that the

world

governments should not underestimate the complexity of

this

problem and take immediate action to reduce its future influences.