Ageing Society: Burden or Boon?

Professor Sarah Harper, a leading gerontologist from the University of Oxford, advocates for embracing the opportunities presented by an ageing global population. She contends that longer lifespans are an achievement that necessitates a fundamental reevaluation of societal structures.

Harper argues that current welfare systems, labour markets, and retirement assumptions are rooted in outdated concepts. These institutions, designed for a past era, no longer align with the realities of modern extended life expectancies and declining birth rates. Governments worldwide face concerns regarding pensions, healthcare, and shrinking workforces.

To address these challenges, Harper proposes a radical overhaul. She suggests that state pension eligibility should be determined by years of contribution rather than a fixed chronological age. This approach, she believes, will foster new understandings of work and contribution in later life, enabling societies to thrive as they adapt to increased longevity.