Around the world, people are now living longer than ever before in the past. Some say an ageing population creates problems for governments. Others believe there are benefits to society having more elderly people. To what extent do the advantages of possessing an ageing population outweigh the disadvantages?

It has become increasingly common today for individuals to live longer than they did in past

generations

.

Although

many point out that ageing populations hinder a nation economically, I would argue that the benefits for society as a whole overshadow these perceived drawbacks. The main reason that many fixate on the negatives associated with an ageing

population

relates to the financial implications. Governments and companies must both take into account the age of their

population

and plan

accordingly

.

For instance

, Japan has a famously old

population

that requires the government to make budgetary allowances for better healthcare and shortages in the

labor

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force. The economy more generally in Japan must overcome a shrinking consumer market as young people are more likely to shop, travel, and spend freely.

This

same situation applies to varying degrees in nearly every country around the world at different moments in their history.

However

, the economic effects of an ageing

population

are less important than the value of older

generations

. In most societies globally, young people are more progressive and push society forward. Older

generations

typically serve as a stabilizing ballast that keeps forward momentum from becoming too chaotic.

This

can take the form of advice given by elders within families to young people or more broadly across the entire political spectrum of a country.

Although

this

conservatism can feel limiting to younger

generations

at

first,

most would admit as they get older that the influence of more experienced and wiser family members was generally positive on an individual and societal level. In conclusion, despite the economic repercussions of older

population

demographics, I believe that the less tangible benefits for families make

this

a positive development. Naturally, there are legitimate downsides that must be collectively managed by governments and individuals alike.