The tremors have begun. In Agequake, Paul Wallace prophesies the seismic
consequences of increasing longevity and declining fertility. Soon, for the
first time in human history, the old will outnumber the young—the average
age worldwide will exceed 40 by 2040 according to one UN estimate, leaving too
few workers to generate wealth and foot the bill for state pensions and
healthcare. By 2020, the greying developed world will pass the economic crown to
a youthful Third World. If you doubt him, consider the fate of the first country
to have an average age of 40—Japan. Published by Nicholas Brealey,
£18/$25, ISBN 1857881923.
More from Â鶹´«Ã½
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending Â鶹´«Ã½ articles
1
Woman with Alzheimer's starts conversing again after taking psilocybin
2
Possible signs of ancient life on Mars are rich in complex carbon
3
Screwworm could be the first species targeted by an 'extinction drive'
4
How menopause radically changes the brain – and what happens after
5
Some of the last Neanderthals were surprisingly genetically diverse
6
You should turn off fans when it's too hot – but how hot is too hot?
7
How some people's brains make an extraordinary recovery from stroke
8
Faecal transplant makes the brains of old mice act young again
9
Huge crater in Australia may be the oldest impact structure on Earth
10
Our verdict on The Selfish Gene: An unpopular piece of popular science
