Identify and explain one social consequence and one economic consequence that countries face as their populations age.

Answer: Reduced Fertility

• Improved education of women, more women working, delays in starting families

• Children are an economic liability in MDCs, too expensive to have several, societal norms

(1-2 children)

• Birth control: cost, availability, accessibility, acceptance, quality

• More urban societies: less need for children to work on farms

• Government and private pensions reduce

Increased Life Expectancy

• Improved health care (e. g., medicine, facilities, research/knowledge, personnel,

technologies, accessibility)

• Improved lifestyle (e. g., knowledge of health risks, improved diets, technology, nutrition and

exercise)

• Improved food security/availability

• Less conflict (e. g., less crime, fewer wars)

• Improved work conditions (e. g., less physically demanding labor, better safety standards)

• Improved public health (e. g., sanitation, water supply, housing, standard of living)

• Improved financial security for elderly (e. g., pensions, care facilities)

• Improved safety standards (e. g., sports, transportation, building codes