Population Aging in Australia
Population aging refers to increasing median age of a region's population contributed by rising expectancy and declining fertility rates (Kulik et al, 2014). There has been an exponential growth of the aging population in Australia over the decades driven by remarkable advances in birth control, medicine, and healthcare. However, its growth is slowing down changing the shape of Australia's population (Brodaty et al, 2014). These trends of the aging population coupled with increasing cultural and family background, has created fundamental challenges for families and society in general. In the context of increasing life expectancy, Australia is among the countries experiencing falling fertility rates resulting in to an aged population. In terms of culture, diversity among the aging population is another aspect. A research by Austrian Bureau of statistics shows that among the Australians aged 65 years and above, there exist one in every three from a diverse linguistic and cultural background (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016). Shifts in sex ratio and transitioning from virtually monoculture society to a culturally diverse society have implications on the demographic population set up of the country. The aging and diverse population in Australia, being linguistically and multicultural diversity has contributed to substantial barriers in engaging and assessing essential services and support to these population segments for the good of outcomes (Prettner, 2013).
Components of Population Growth
Immigration, life expectancy and fertility are the three components of population growth that have a fundamental impact on cultural diversity, sex ratio and age structure of Australia's population (Kulik et al, 2014). Aging population in Australia is inevitably caused by increasing life expectancy that has shifted the age-sex pyramid projected by Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The essential question is whether there remain sufficient labor supply that supports the elderly (Davies " James, 2016). The case would be due to proportional representation of the aging population with other dependent groups of "too young to work population" that is shrinking. The ratio of the totally dependent labor force, however, oversimplifies the issue, for instance through advancement in technological that improves labor productivity (Davies, " James, 2016). ).Sex ratio breaks down to gender disparity of the Australian population, it states the number of male per 100 females and according to ABS, the ratio has been steadily increasing over the decade with an estimated projection of more than 90 by 2050 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016). High male mortality rate over the years and a greater proportion of male migrants has contributed to these statistics.
Income Distribution and Cultural Diversity
In terms of income distribution of the aged population as reported by ABS census, their weekly medium income per person is $440 per week and for the population aged between 25 to 64 years, their personal weekly income is $913 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016). These disparities exist due to different participation levels of the labor force in each age group. These statistics also vary in terms of employment as labor force drops markedly above 65 years, traditionally a retirement age in Australia (Prettner, 2013). Cultural and linguistically diverse aged population determines the ethnic composition of Australia population with approximately 37% of the aged population being born overseas. 67% of them were born from Europe and above 16% in Asia (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016). Among these compositions, 82% can speak English fluently at home. The rest can speak partially or not at all according to the census done by ABS in 2016. From the same census, in terms of educational background, approximately 40% of the aged population had non-school qualifications while 33% of had completed year 12 or equivalent. Therefore, levels of school and non-school attainment between the ages of 65 to 74 years, reflected the accessibility and desirability of the education in the aged population over time. Christianity is the most practiced religion in Australia, therefore, older population tend to have more affiliation with Christianity compared to those 65 years and below. The varying religion affiliation has been contributed by migration pattern over the years of people with diverse religious affiliations (Davies " James, 2016).
Social Exclusion and Social Inclusion Policies
Social exclusion of aging population is among the issues facing the Australia country due to their less contribution in the labor workforce and the perception of the younger population (Prettner, 2013). Social exclusion defies the anti-exclusion policies that integrates marginalised population in terms of employment opportunities and other forms of labor attachment (Hugman, 2013). Issues of social exclusion among older people in Australia are determined by factors such as previous employment opportunities and experiences from the aging and diverse population. In terms of income distribution, older people report to be partially or fully dependent on the younger population since their participation in the job market is minimal. Therefore, it causes issues of marginalisation and inequality as they rely on the productive workforce. Lack of better healthcare is the other persistent issue facing the aging population in Austria. However, in light of these issues, individuals and government have formulated social inclusion agendas with policies that ensure social inclusion for the elderly (Prettner, 2013). Some of the broader policies that underpin social inclusions include better retirement arrangement of the aging population, such as availing age pension to all Australians above 65 years and Medicare support to the aging population in collaboration with other healthcare partners that ensure social inclusion of older people (Kulik, 2014).
Theoretical Perspectives on Aging Population
Several theories that encompass the social integration of older people include activity, disengagement and continuity theory. However, in this case, more prevalence is given to continuity theory of aging that entails issues of marginalisation, participation, and inequality (Kolb, 2014). The theoretical perspective of continuity theory defines that population patterns of behavior, values and perspective that remain consistent in their lifetime despite the changes that they undergo or experience (Kolb, 2014). The theory also argues that how we behave in our younger age determines our values, beliefs and behaviors at our older age. In terms of development, it does not only deny any changes developed over our lifetime but also their impact at our older age while its perception is to conquer the ageist culture we perceive. The older population in Australia still have potential in terms of economic contribution if given the necessary resources and treated in a more inclusive way, rather than stereotyping them (Hugman,2013). Stereotyping them may also have a detrimental impact on their well-being and health as well. The other perceptive is in relation to sex ratio among aging and diverse population in Australia. The feminist theory comes into this perspective at as there exists inequality in terms of gender roles. The theory's approach to social work emphasizes on utilizing feminist strengths and power in building gender equality among older and diverse age groups (Hugman, 2013).
Conclusion
The above insights help in determining the age and cultural diversity distribution in Australia. Potential abilities of these marginalized age group are also portrayed and interventions of government in creating policies such as social intrusion help in building a cohesive and productive aging and diverse population. Certain theories and perception instigated among social workers would help change the way this set of the population is perceived. Conditions underpinning support of this aging and diverse population would also assist in generating insights on their contribution.
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2016). Gender Indicators, Australia.
Brodaty, H., Mothakunnel, A., de Vel-Palumbo, M., Ames, D., Ellis, K. A., Reppermund, S., ... " Sachdev, P. S. (2014). Influence of population versus convenience sampling on sample characteristics in studies of cognitive aging. Annals of epidemiology, 24(1), 63-71.
Davies, A., " James, A. (2016). Geographies of ageing: Social processes and the spatial unevenness of population ageing. Routledge.
Hugman, R. (2013). 19 An ethical perspective on social work. Social Work: A Reader, 136.
Kolb, P. (2014). Understanding aging and diversity: Theories and concepts. Routledge.
Kulik, C. T., Ryan, S., Harper, S., " George, G. (2014). Aging populations and management.
Prettner, K. (2013). Population aging and endogenous economic growth. Journal of population economics, 26(2), 811-834.
