Introduction

The global phenomenon of population ageing has resulted in a significant increase in the number of older people in many countries. Ireland has lagged behind other high-income countries in the proportion of its population aged 65 and over, but this is projected to change in the coming years, when there will be a significant increase in the number and proportion of older people in the population. The potential impact of population ageing, in particular, on the pension fund and, to a somewhat lesser extent, the health and social care system, has been debated and discussed. However, these discussions have been somewhat overshadowed by the global economic downturn starting in 2008. This chapter attempts to set the scene for the remainder of the book by contextualising ageing in Ireland in a time of austerity and, where appropriate, examining Ireland's position relative to other high-income countries. The first part will describe the demographic and socio-economic situation of older people in Ireland and the second part will assess the impact of the economic downturn on the lives of older people.

Older people in Ireland

The demographic profile of older people in Ireland: past, present and future

According to the most recent Census of population, there were over half-a-million people aged 65 and older in Ireland in 2011. This number has been increasing over time, with 70% more people aged 65 and older in 2011 compared to 1951 (see Figure 2.1). Such increases, in Ireland and elsewhere, are due to a combination of factors, including high fertility rates after the Second World War and, more recently, a reduction in death rates at older ages.

In addition, declining birth rates has meant that the proportion of the total population aged 65 and older is also increasing. Currently, 12% of the population are aged 65 and over. This is projected to increase to 17% by 2026 and to 25% by 2046 (Central Statistics Office, 2013a), while the proportion of the population aged 85 and over is projected to more than double from 1.3% in 2011 to almost 4% by 2046 (Central Statistics Office, 2013a).

However, while Ireland's population is ageing, it remains young relative to other high-income countries. Table 2.1 shows the (estimated) percentage of the population aged 65 and older in a number of high-income countries in 2010, 2030 and 2050.