When we discuss the problems of growing aged population, we should always keep in mind that population aging is the greatest outcome of the strenuous efforts of a human being towards the highest wellbeing for every citizen of the society. It is to be pointed out, however, that the aging society brings about a number of serious problems both at a socio-economic structural level and at a family level. At a macro level, there is a significantly greater number of the oldest old, a shrink of labor force, fear of the bankrupt of public pension system, ever-growing deficit of public medical insurance, increasingly lowering saving rate, and, the last but not the least, gradual but steady negative economic growth. At a family level, due to the shrink of per capita care services resulting from both the growth of aged population and economic stagnation, the family will have to bear a heavier burden for the care of older relatives. Some social gerontologists are even afraid of serious intergenerational conflict in highly aged societies. The author, however, does not agree with this view. He believes that, if appropriate policies are taken, the society will be able to realize dynamic equilibrium demographically, economically and socially, and to achieve a society in which an adequate level of quality of life will be secured for all population groups.
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