Elderly in Hong Kong struggle to make ends meet

[danieldemol]

Apparently Hong Kong has one of the longest life expectancies in the world, yet some of the elderly are working into their nineties to make ends meet.

From the story here Hong Kong's ageing population struggling to make ends meet - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Do you think this is a problem that a country like Australia could eventually face due to an ageing population or do you think it is because of a lousy government that they are forced to work for so long?

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Here in the US there was an article recently about how jobs normally occupied with teens are being replaced by older people as social welfare and the ability to hold onto savings shrinks

 

[IsaiahX]

China being so authoritarian, and Australia being more democratic, it seems that working for so long is a product of a lousy government.

 

[IsaiahX]

Here in the US there was an article recently about how jobs normally occupied with teens are being replaced by older people as social welfare and the ability to hold onto savings shrinks

That may be true for here, but Australia actually prides itself for having the best social wellfare in the world. I don't believe we will be seeing very many working elderly there.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Apparently Hong Kong has one of the longest life expectancies in the world, yet some of the elderly are working into their nineties to make ends meet.

From the story here Hong Kong's ageing population struggling to make ends meet - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Do you think this is a problem that a country like Australia could eventually face due to an ageing population or do you think it is because of a lousy government that they are forced to work for so long?

If people are living longer it will take capitalist systems a while to adapt. The issue is too complex to blame on the government alone, particularly on such a small island. You have to take lots of things into account to find out who is to blame, and blame does not provide resources. I notice the article does not cite even one interview from one of these aged workers.

 

[SomeRandom]

That may be true for here, but Australia actually prides itself for having the best social wellfare in the world. I don't believe we will be seeing very many working elderly there.

Yeah and with cost cutting to those social welfare programs, upping the retirement age and even talks about cutting the pension in favour of another system, there are people who are at least wary for the future. Never underestimate the greed of the government. No matter where you look.

 

[sun rise]

If you do an internet search on unfunded pension liabilities you'll find that it's a problem in many places and in both government and business to one degree or another.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Here in the US there was an article recently about how jobs normally occupied with teens are being replaced by older people as social welfare and the ability to hold onto savings shrinks

I see that in my own area. I personally don't expect to retire.

 

[Jumi]

China being so authoritarian, and Australia being more democratic, it seems that working for so long is a product of a lousy government.

HK is quite a bit different from China, since they're semi-autonomous.