IMPROVING FOOD PACKAGING IN RESPECT OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES RELATED TO SOCIETY AGEING

Abstract

The ageing of people is a phenomenon which has significantly increased in intensity throughout the past several decades. This concerns particularly well-developed countries, where the process in question has been very rapid, and together with the low rate of natural increase accounts for the growing proportion of old people in society. It results from the greater longevity of people, the progress of civilisation and better quality of life. A series of factors exert a direct impact on the phenomenon of population ageing, such as the level of wealth of society, a family model being promoted, the number of women who are active in the labour market, the level of social welfare and health care, the educational level of population and a social policy adopted by a state. The ageing process can thus be considered not only in terms of a demographic aspect, but also in respect of an economic and social one. This is manifested by changes in the consumption structure, increased demand for products and services, which are being tailored to the needs of older consumers. Therefore, this situation forces manufacturers to take proper steps in order to adapt to changing conditions of the immediate environment.