What are examples of social policy programmes that have increased the fertility rate in society, reduced the scale of family poverty and effectively acted and slowed down significantly the progressive process of long-term changes in the demographic structure of society known as the ageing process?
Unfortunately, not all such social policies have worked effectively. For example, in the country where I operate, such a social policy programme whose official strategic goal was to counteract the rapidly declining birth rate of children and the rapidly progressing process of demographic changes in society defined as ageing since the end of the 20th century in Poland is the Family 500 Plus Programme, introduced in 2016. Apart from this, the key ongoing objective of this programme was to improve the material status of children, financially support families raising children and reduce the scale of family poverty in Poland. In the first years of the programme's operation, i.e. from 2016 onwards, this programme became one of the important factors of economic growth. The Family 500 Plus programme consists of a monthly non-refundable transfer of PLN 500 for each child in the family. I have described the strategic goals of this programme as a key element of long-term, i.e. on a multi-year scale, socio-economic policy planning and implementation in my published articles and monograph chapters on my profile of this Research Gate portal. I invite you to join me for research collaboration on this issue. However, the Family 500 Plus programme has already been in place for several years. The design and introduction of this programme drew on models of similar programmes operating for years in other countries in Europe. this programme was introduced in Poland in 2016. It is now already 2023. In 2022, the level of child births in Poland was the lowest in more than half a century, so clearly this programme is completely failing to meet the strategic goals that were set out when this programme was introduced. These strategic objectives, in addition to reducing the scale of poverty among families with many children in Poland, were to significantly increase the fertility rate in society and thus counteract the progressive ageing of the population. This programme has been implemented by the PIS government in Poland for almost eight years. In connection with the fact that, according to political scientists, the introduction of this social policy programme helped the PIS political party to win the parliamentary elections in 2015 and 2019 and the formation of the government by this party, so for years there have been considerations as to whether the introduction of this social policy programme, i.e. the programme of financial support for families in Poland, was related not to the issue of long-term shaping of social and economic policy in Poland but to the issue of winning the parliamentary elections. In view of the above, the current goals of the Family 500 Plus Programme have been achieved, while the strategic goals, unfortunately, have not.
In view of the above, I would like to address the following question to the esteemed community of scientists and researchers:
What are the examples of social policy programmes that have increased the fertility rate in the society, reduced the scale of family poverty and effectively acted and slowed down to a large extent the progressive process of long-term changes in the demographic structure of the society defined as the process of ageing?
What do you think about this topic?
What is your opinion on this subject?
Please respond,
I invite you all to discuss,
Thank you very much,
Best wishes,
Dariusz Prokopowicz
Social Security and Medicare have increased average longevity in the USA. Some people would age faster without that safety net.
Old age pensions, social security and health care provisions have done all but increased the infertility rate. I sould say school funding also affects old age, because longer education often correlates with better health
Your listed points are important. Also having less pooultin growth is a good phenomenon. The world has about 8 billion people and large populations mean large amounts of pollution and high demands of limited resource use.
Economists should revise their growth-love concerning GDP and population. I do not see any sense to promote births to avoid ageing. With a (wishable) increase of - hopefully healthy - life-expectance, ageing is the logic consequence, unless there is no increase of the (younger) population. If one wishes such an increase, countries could afford it by more births (where the effects on economic production are far in the future) or by immigration. Obviously, Polish policy is not very attractive in this respect: There have been considerably more emigrants than immigrants (I think, only a few) over the last ten years. The problem may be that it is mainly the most productive ones that leave Poland.
I do not consider high children transfers as an incentive to more birth, but as a good measure against poverty of families with children. It will likely lead to higher consumption expenditures and therefore higher GDP (which does not mean higher GDP growth in the future - rather the contrary).
https://www.un.org/development/desa/ageing/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2019/07/Analysis-Ageing_VNRs_Final28122018.pdf
I'm in the midst of writing about Japan's system of long term care insurance (LTCI), which is one thing countries need to respond to their ageing societies. Ageing is an inevitable part of life. One can only prepare for it. With nearly 30% of population of Japan already aged 65 years old, with just under 20% over 75, it is the world's laboratory in preparing for an ageing society. Their LTCI is a popular program instituted in 2000. With average life expectancy in the 80s, the LTCI pays for in-home services (includes body and non-body contact services), community services (includes short stays, day care, livelihood, housing programs) and facility-based care. only around 20% would be in facilities and the rest are under the other services. The perspective is 'ageing in place' for those who can. But with 40% couple-only and growing single older persons, the state do have to take on the responsibility of care for them. There is no cash allowances for family carers, unlike some European countries i read, reflecting the traditional views on filial responsibilities the culture has. Their LTCI is contributory, 50% central, 25% (12.5% province, 12.5% municipalities) and 25% premiums (those 40 year old and up contribute, including retirees, from their pensions). For an added perspective: The spending on long-term care is much lower than their spending on child welfare services.
There are several social policy programs that aim to slow down the ageing of the population, although it is important to note that the ageing of the population is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by multiple factors, including changes in lifestyle, healthcare, and economic factors. Some examples of social policy programs that may contribute to slowing down the ageing of the population include: -
1) Pension and retirement policies: Governments can implement policies that encourage people to retire later, such as increasing the retirement age, providing incentives for older workers to stay in the workforce, or offering flexible working arrangements that allow older workers to transition to retirement gradually.
2) Healthcare policies: Access to affordable and high-quality healthcare can help people to maintain their physical and mental health as they age. This can include policies that support preventative care, disease management programs, and policies that address the social determinants of health, such as poverty and social isolation.
3) Education and training policies: Lifelong learning programs can help people to stay engaged and active as they age, which can have positive effects on cognitive and physical health. Policies that provide access to education and training opportunities for older adults can also help them to stay competitive in the workforce.
4) Housing policies: Policies that support age-friendly housing, such as accessible and affordable housing, can help older adults to maintain their independence and stay in their homes for longer.
5) Social policies: Social policies that address social exclusion and promote social participation can help to reduce the risk of loneliness and social isolation among older adults. This can include policies that support community-based programs and services, as well as policies that provide opportunities for intergenerational interaction and collaboration.
It is important to note that the effectiveness of these social policy programs in slowing down the ageing of the population may vary depending on factors such as the political and economic context, the cultural and social values of the population, and the availability and accessibility of resources.
@Dariusz Prokopowicz
As far as ageing is caused by increasing (hopefully healthy) life expectancy, there is no reason for policies to slow it down. In many developing countries, ageing may be a desirable development. It makes no sense to have a compensating population growth in order to grow-out of ageing. There are enough people (one may even say: too many people) in the world. Every more contributes to mor environmental damage. A slight popultation shrinkage could mean that we are better off - even with a non-growing or shrinking GDP (because we Ias a society) dispose of considerable material wealth created in the past. Economists should foreget Neoclassical growth theories and try to find concepts for non-growing economies.
I’m not sure about specific social policy programs that have significantly slowed down the ageing of the population. However, there are many policies and programs that aim to improve the health and well-being of older adults. Some examples include:
Considero que esta pregunta es muy compleja ya que el envejecimiento de la población no se puede frenar la población envejece por cuestiones naturales lo que se hace es mejorar la calidad de vida como en Japón que la población vive mucho más y en mejores condiciones pero tienen en contra que no hay renovación con la juventud y están condenados a ser un país longevo , otro caso es el de España que tiene una politica social para su población y que hace que los adultos mayores puedan tener calidad de vida en la mayoría de su población
Several social policy programs have played significant roles in slowing down the ageing of the population in various countries. One example is comprehensive healthcare systems that provide universal access to medical services, preventive care, and medications. These systems help older individuals maintain better health and address age-related ailments, leading to longer, healthier lives. Additionally, policies that promote a healthy lifestyle, such as public health campaigns, and initiatives to combat smoking and obesity, contribute to healthier ageing populations.
Another example is pension and retirement policies that encourage older individuals to stay in the workforce for longer. This can include raising the retirement age, offering flexible work arrangements, and incentivizing older workers to continue their careers. These policies not only boost the economic contributions of older citizens but also help maintain their mental and physical well-being.
Furthermore, affordable and accessible housing options for seniors, along with social support programs that combat social isolation and loneliness, can also positively impact the ageing population by ensuring better living conditions and emotional support, ultimately slowing down the ageing process.
@Dariusz Prokopowicz
Not sure if you can slow down this natural process called ageing. You can reduce its negative impacts to the economy and society. Lessons from Japan, a wellknown ageing society, include labor market adjustments to improve support towards more secure employment that seem to impinge on decisions to marry and fertility choices. These two decision parameters are keys to improving the demographic profile of countries.
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