AGEING SOCIETY IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD: RECONSIDERING IN THE APPROACHES TO EDUCATION
Keywords:
ageing of the population, demographic shift, elderly, old-age dependency ratio, older adults’ education, the third ageAbstract
The article provides the analysis of the demographic situation dynamics in the developed countries. Scientific-and-technological advance and socio-economic development have led to the significant change in the characteristics and intensity of demographic process. It is recognized worldwide that the beginning of the 21st century is the time of global changes. The analysis of the demographic forecast to 2050 shows that the percentage of the world’s population aged 60 years and over is expected to be about 21% – at the level of Europe presently; the percentage of the people aged 65+ will rise to 16% of the total population. The ratio of older people in developed regions is expected to grow to 31.2% – almost the third of the population; for Europe the ratio of the elderly aged 60 and over is predicted to reach 32.8% which means one in three persons will be over 60 years old. It is pointed out that ageing population: a) has influenced a change in the structure of population; the birth rates decrease and the consequence of rising human life expectancy has caused a change in the structure of life course; b) signifies a decrease in the percentage of the children and young people and an increase in the percentage of persons aged 65+; c) affects all aspects of the society including education, social and cultural activities. The increase of old age dependency ratio influences the labor market and the economic development at all. This article provides evidence that it is worthwhile to reconsider the traditional approach to the elderly needs. The growing age group of elderly people needs to be ensured the adaptation to rapid economic and social change. The state policy needs rethinking in the approaches to human potential, recognizing seniors as a valuable part of social and even economic resources, as this cohort is going to win a significant place in demographical and social structure. It is important to provide the opportunity for the elderly to be active participants of country development process, including education and labor market. Encouraging people of the third age to educational activity may be an effective resource for social, economic and intellectual growth of the country and this idea should become one of the strategic directions of the state policy. It is also emphasized that higher education sector should redefine its role in humancapital formation by retraining older people, teaching new life skills to cope with late-life problems, and offering opportunities for personal enrichment through learning of culture and arts. For this sector it is strategically important to adapt new educational philosophy and make changes in the policy, fundamental structure, financing, and curriculum.
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