elderly dependency ratio

The elderly dependency ratio measures how many people aged 65 and older depend on every 100 working-age adults (typically aged 15-64). It indicates the pressure on the working population to support older individuals through taxes, pensions, and healthcare. A higher ratio means more elderly dependents relative to the working-age group, which can challenge healthcare systems and social services. Conversely, a lower ratio suggests a smaller proportion of elderly dependents, generally easing these pressures. This ratio helps assess the sustainability of a society’s support systems as populations age.