The UK population is predicted to have grown by approximately 8M between 2018 and 2038. At the same time, the population pyramid is getting progressively 'older'. Preventing ill health in later years is part of the DNA of Community Sport
The exhibit shows 3 versions of the UK population pyramid taken from the ONS website interactive tools. Its a dual-axis bar chart arranged vertically. For each age band on the y-axis the pyramid shows the count of Males (left) and Females (right). The ‘shape’ of the pyramid changes over time from the left hand pyramid 2018 to the right hand pyramid 2038 as the age cohorts get older (leaving net immigration aside for now) and the main ‘bulge’ represented in 2018 at aged 50-55 and the little swelling at aged 70 get older and move up towards the top in 2038.
The 'nightmare scenario' for the Public Sector and the Government is increasing and more complex ill health conditions for more and more people, with conversely fewer and fewer people of working age paying taxes to fund the growing money pit and NHS bill.
One way of measuring this is the OADR (Old Age Dependency Ratio), which measures the number of people of state pensionable age and over per 1,000 people between 16 and SPA (the 'available workforce' for taxation purposes). Here the OADR increases by over 20% between 2018 and 2038.
Community Sport can help push back against this ‘nightmare’ scenario by helping individuals get and stay active, make healthy choices and stay economically active (should they want to) for longer.