The challenge of productivity in aging countries

Between 2010 and 2035, Japan and Germany were projected to lose more than 20% of their working age populations. They were not alone in countries likely to have losses. This chapter examines demographic and other trends in countries with some of the oldest median ages in the world - Japan, Germany, Spain, Taiwan, Russia, the U.S., and China. As these societies age rapidly, the strains on them increases proportionately. The challenge they face is their working age segments must become far more productive. The only alternative is for them to be replenished by immigration. The theme of this chapter is how this group of aging nations reached this point and how they are coping with the dilemma.