Topic: The ageing population in the globalization world
Research question: How can Singapore cope with the ageing population in the globalization perspective.
Description of the situation:
Ageing population generally refers to increasing proportion of aged senior citizens. Larger proportion of resources which could be used to stimulate economy are used to provide life support and increase their life expectancy. This will also increase the burden of working populations are they need to work harder to raise the aged family members.
Singapore face increasing pressure of ageing population. Due to the government report, the proportion of those aged 65 and above formed 11.7 percent of the citizen polution by 2013, which used to be 7.8 percent in 2002.The old-age support ratio, which is the number of citizens in the working age band of 20 to 64 needed to support one older citizen, is decreasing rapidly. It has fallen from 8.4 in 2000 to 5.5(Straits Times 2013 sep).
Identification of the problems:
I believe globalization is one of the most influential causes for the ageing population problems. With the globalization and the development of technology and medical science, people enjoy better life expectancy and medical service. Many incurable diseases are not longer nightmares for patients. With the better life quality, people generally live longer. Due to the inflow of western culture, the old asian ideology about marriage and giving birth is altered. People tend to remain single or do not give birth as they believe the children and marriage is the obstacle for their road to free and comfortable life. More and more people refuse to give birth or have birth after 30 years old as they consider children as the burden for their life. Especially, for well-educated women are generally delay marriage or childbirth or even choose to live a single life. Therefore, we can find that globalization is pushing Singapore to the future ageing population.
Solution1:
2. As the old proverb said The only one who can fix the problem is the one who created the problem. Properly taking advantage of the globalization effect can help Singpapore to relieve the population tension in the state. Various policies have been adopted by the government to attract more foreign talents and skilled workers to Singapore. As at December 2011, we had 3.27 million Singapore Citizens (SCs), and 0.54 million Permanent Residents (PRs). Together, they made up the resident population of 3.81 million. We also had a non-resident population of 1.46 million who are working, studying or living in Singapore on a non-permanent basis,whereas Singapore’s total population was 5.26 million. (Composition of Singapore’s total polulation).The inflow of the foreigners provide outstanding and sufficient workforce to promote the economy prosperity in Singapore. This will lessen the burdern for working Singaporen populations to raise the old people. However, the foreign talent policy is the the most controvertial policy all the while, as people worry about the problem caused by huge flow of outcomers, like securty , local people working opportunities, environment, housing and so on. After all, everthing is a double-edged sword, as even a rose has its thorns. How to use the policy is still a challenge for the governmrnt to solve the ageing population problem.
Solution2:
Extension of the retirement or re-employment of the senior citizens.
Singapore adopt the Retirement and Re-employment Act(RRA), due to the Ministry of manpower, senior citizens and PRs are eligible for re-employment upon reaching the age of 62 if they have at least a satisfactory working performance and medically fit. This solution will be more human as people can earn more salary in these years which will help themself to achieve a better life. However, this measure is more cater to the skilled employees. Unlike the well-educated skilled employees who can sit in the office and do some simple job, the less educated workers have to do physical job which can be harmful to their physical condition. I believe whether we use re-employment or extension of the retirement measure, we should choose on the premise of being less harmless to citizens’ interest.
Solution3: Encourage giving birth.
This should the most widely used by both developing and developed countries. The common strategy adopted by Singapore now is ‘having three or more if you can’. All kinds of packages of incentives are given to encourage giving birth to more children. Through raising the population of younger generation, this solution will increase the future workforce to prepare for the aging problems. However, the growing birth rate also add to the burden for the society as large amount of scarce resources,like education resources are also a big challenge for the society. China also change its old one-child policy. If the couples are both only child in their respective family, they are required to have one more child. However, people might worry about the huge life and education expense to raise one more child, the effectiveness of the new policy is still unpredictable. The similar problem is also faced by Singapore as people’s decisions about marriage and children cannot not altered so easily with little incentives.
In conclusion, the ageing population problem is faced by people around the world. It can be a bomb to Singapore economy if it is not under control. With the globalization, Singapore’s econmony remain rapidly inceases and improves. The great change in economy and technology can provide sources for providing easy and comfort life for seniors citizens in Singapore. Therefore, we need to remain comfident in Singpapore’s future.
Reference:
1. Fast-ageing Singapore, fewer to support aged; Trend worries experts
http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/fast-ageing-singapore-fewer-support-aged-trend-worries-experts-2013092
2.Composition of Singapore’s total polulation
http://population.sg/resources/population-composition/#.UxifK42BQx4
3. Ministry of manpower
http://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/employment-rights-conditions/retirement/Pages/retirement.aspx
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