Abstract
The article addresses problems of population aging in Poland and the selected environmental hazards exerting a negative impact on seniors’ health. The introduction presents the reasons underlying the above-mentioned aging process and provides the characteristics of the primary environmental threats. The next part covers the most important trends and indicators related to the demographic situation in the country. The core of the study is focused on presenting and interpreting the results of empirical research on the periodization of the population aging process in Poland, in the years 2004–2019, using the multidimensional statistical analysis method including, in particular, the data classification method. The key demographic factors differentiating the development phases of the population aging process include, in order of their significance: longer life expectancy of the population, narrowed gross reproduction rate, declining birth rate, and total migration balance. In addition, the article provides the analysis of the selected environmental threats’ impact on population aging in Poland, among which the following were indicated: high temperatures, solar conditions, heavy rainfall, strong winds, droughts, and fires. Moreover, the process of longer life expectancy in fine health is essentially related to two issues: the level of medical care, with particular attention paid to check-ups and preventive measures, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. In summary, it should be highlighted that the elimination of all pollutants or the reasons of environmental hazards is not possible; however, the actions primarily focused on reducing the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere and other forms of environmental pollution should definitely be taken.
Highlights
Population aging is a problem which affects the vast majority of European countries, including Poland
Population (MA), a larger share of older people aged 65 and over (SA65 +), a higher number of older people per child aged 0–14 (AI), as well as larger old-age dependency ratio of the post-working age group (OADR). This order was disturbed in the case of the total age-dependency ratio (TADR), because in the first of the sub-periods covering the years 2004–2006, it adopted a higher value than in the second phase falling in the period 2007–2013
The following conclusions can be drawn from the conducted empirical studies addressing periodization of the population aging process: 1. The development of the population aging process in Poland is not homogeneous
Summary
Population aging is a problem which affects the vast majority of European countries, including Poland. The activities focused on the intensification of pro-family policy and the allocation of parental benefits, which is taking place in Poland, stand for natural remedial undertakings in this respect. The financial factor is significant; it is not the most important one in the context of family planning and the number of offspring. The approach to private life and professional careers of the members of Polish families seems to be more important nowadays. In addition to the typical social support and financial transfers, the promotion of a large family model, strengthened by the system of discounts and promotions offered by both public and private sector entities, can turn out effective
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