Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability 1

Age100+95–9990–9485–8980–8475–7970–7465–6960–6455–5950–5445–4940–4435–3930–3425–2920–2415–1910–145–90–4MaleFemale6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6Percentage of population 1900Figure 10-15 U.S. population by age and sex, 1900, 2000, and2050 (projected). (Data from U.S. Census Bureau)5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5Percentage of population 20004 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4Percentage of population 2050Developed Countriesnow creating the 50-something market and will soonmove on to create a 60-something market. In 2011 thefirst baby boomers will turn 65, and the number ofAmericans over age 65 will grow sharply through2029. According to some analysts, the retirement ofbaby boomers is likely to create a shortage of workersin the United States unless immigrant workers replacesome of these retirees.Much of the economic burden of helping supporta large number of retired baby boomers will fall on thebaby-bust generation. It consists of people born between1965 and 1976 (when TFRs fell sharply to below 2.1;Figure 10-7).Retired baby boomers are likely to use their politicalclout to force the smaller number of people in thebaby-bust generation to pay higher income, healthcare,and Social Security taxes.In other respects, the baby-bust generation shouldhave an easier time than the baby-boom generation.Fewer people will be competing for educational opportunities,jobs, and services. Also, labor shortagesmay drive up their wages, at least for jobs requiringeducation or technical training beyond high school.However, this may not happen, if many Americanownedcompanies operating at the global level (multinationalcompanies) continue to export many low- andhigh-paying jobs to other countries.Members of the baby-bust group may find it difficultto get job promotions as they reach middle age becausemembers of the much larger baby-boom groupwill occupy most upper-level positions. Many babyboomers may delay retirement because of improvedhealth, the need to accumulate adequate retirementfunds, or extension of the retirement age needed to begincollecting Social Security. The baby-bust generationAgeAge85+80–8575–7970–7465–6960–6455–5950–5445–4940–4435–3930–3425–2920–2415–1910–145–90–485+80–8575–7970–7465–6960–6455–5950–5445–4940–4435–3930–3425–2920–2415–1910–145–90–4MaleFemale300 200 100 0 100 200 300Population (millions)Developing CountriesMaleFemale300 200 100 0 100 200 300Population (millions)Figure 10-16 Population structure by age and sex in developingcountries and developed countries, 2004. (Data from UnitedNations Population Division and Population Reference Bureau)http://biology.brookscole.com/miller14185