What is meant by 'the demographic time bomb' and why is this issue so important to the government?

Question

For my modern studies report please give any useful links as to where i can find out more about the demographic time bomb if you do not know.

Answer 1

The demographic time bomb is a polemic name for the current trend of the falling birthrate. Essentially it means that most western countries will be in trouble sooner or later because the large number of pensioners of the future cannot be supported by the smaller number of young/working people, as there are less and less babies born. For the government it is a problem because they face huge costs - with people waiting for the pensions they worked 50 years for and not enough people to sustain the pension funds... Some governments will be in major trouble as they have already taken money out of pension funds to pay for other government expenses...

Here are some links - check the political affiliations, though...
http://www.thirdway.org/files/articles/demograh.html
http://www.chartist.org.uk/articles/econsoc/mar03grievesmith.htm
http://www.management-issues.com/display_page.asp?section=research&id=1985

Answer 2

Demographic Time Bomb,is the aging population,fewer babies born,so fewer workers to pay taxes to support the pensioners,who are living longer due to medical advances

Answer 3

A problematic situation that will only get worse if not addressed