The social and economic forces of global ageing in a global society

As we look forward into the mid-twenty-first century, demographers have forecasted quite remarkable increases in the general population of the globe, which will also be reflected in increasing ageing populations. This paper explores how globalisation and its structural economic and social forces throws into flux the policies and practices of individual nation-states to address social, economic and political issues for older people focusing on pensions and health and social care. The paper will examine specific areas of the globe such as America, Europe, Asia and Africa before we discuss some of the key challenges and consequences of global ageing for global society. It highlights how research needs to move from being state centred to one which acknowledges global forces and the impact of populational ageing.