The battle between the generations…

The IF series currently running on the BBC dramatises possible disturbing trends in our society today. The episode shown last night was about the Ageing population.

Some facts behind the fiction (from the BBC):

 By 2040, the number of people over 64 in Britain is expected to grow from 9.5 million to 15 million.

 In 2000 there were 11.2 million people under the age of 15 in the UK. By 2040, this will have decreased to 8.7 million.

 In 1999 the working population amounted to 47.8% of the total UK population. By 2030 it will be 44.5%. This could mean a shortfall of two million workers.

 There are currently 11 million people in the UK between 45 and 60, the so-called 'baby boomers'. They own 70% of the nation's wealth. In 20 years time they could own 85-90% of disposable income in the UK.

 When pensions were introduced in the early 1900s there were 22 people of working age in Britain for every retired person. In 2024 there will be less than three.

 Over 50s buy 80% of all top of the range cars, 50% of skincare products, 80% of leisure cruises.

 Over the last two decades, consumption by Europe's over 50s has risen three times as fast as that of the rest of the population.

 People aged 60 and over already outnumber children under 16 in the UK for the first time.

For more information go to the BBC website at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/if/default.stm