IELTS writing task 2: “in many countries the proportion of older is steadily increasing”

“In many countries the proportion of older is steadily increasing. Does this trend have more positive or negative effects on the society?“

As birth rates decline and life expectancy rises, the sight of retirees outnumbering schoolchildren is no longer fiction — it’s unfolding in real time. The issue of aging populations is now central to public policy, healthcare systems, and job markets around the world. This makes it a powerful and highly realistic topic in IELTS Writing Task 2, where you’re asked not only to assess the effects but to take a clear stance on whether this demographic shift helps or harms society overall.

What You’re Really Being Asked to Decide

The writing topic “in many countries the proportion of older is steadily increasing” presents an IELTS positive or negative effects essay, requiring you to evaluate whether demographic aging brings more benefits or drawbacks to society. The examiner expects you to:

• Analyze both positive and negative effects of population aging
• Take a clear position on which effects are more significant
• Support your analysis with relevant examples and reasoning
• Demonstrate understanding of complex societal implications

Key terms to define in in many countries the proportion of older is steadily increasing topic:

• Proportion of older people: The percentage of population above retirement age (typically 65+)
• Steadily increasing: Gradual, consistent growth over time
• Effects on society: Impact on economic, social, healthcare, and cultural systems

The question tests your ability to analyze demographic trends, economic implications, and social consequences of aging populations.

Strategic Planning and Essay Structure Framework

Potential Upsides of an Aging Society

• Wisdom still works: Older professionals can serve as mentors, transferring institutional knowledge instead of letting it retire with them.
• A silver-lined economy: Seniors spend more on wellness, travel, and leisure — fueling entire industries (the “silver economy”).
• Family cohesion: Grandparents often provide unpaid childcare, strengthening intergenerational bonds and reducing costs for working parents.

Challenges That Come With a Graying Population

• Healthcare systems under stress: Increased demand for chronic care and long-term treatment stretches both funding and personnel.
• Shrinking workforces: With fewer young workers entering the labor market, economies may face productivity stagnation or overdependence on automation/migration.
• Intergenerational tension: Disputes over pensions, housing, and public resources can emerge when older populations grow faster than the working-age base.

Real-world examples to consider:

• Japan’s super-aged society and technological innovations
• Germany’s immigration policies addressing workforce gaps
• Singapore’s successful aging policies and healthcare systems
• Italy’s pension system challenges and reforms

Strategic Tip: Whether you play up the value of experience or the risks of strain, your success of in many countries the proportion of older is steadily increasing essay depends on more than identifying effects — you must clearly argue which side carries greater weight, and why. The examiner isn’t just checking if you know the facts — they want to see where you stand and how convincingly you defend it.

Scaffold of a High-Scoring Essay on This Topic

IELTS Sample Essays for In Many Countries the Proportion of Older is Steadily Increasing

Band 6.0–6.5 Sample Response

In many developed countries today, the number of elderly people is growing compared to younger generations. This demographic change brings both advantages and disadvantages to society. I believe that while there are some positive effects, the negative impacts are more significant for most countries.

The aging population can benefit society in several ways. Older people have valuable experience and knowledge that they can share with younger generations. They often work as consultants or volunteers, helping communities and businesses. For example, many retired teachers continue to help students or work part-time in schools. Additionally, elderly people create demand for new services like healthcare, tourism, and entertainment designed for seniors, which creates jobs and economic opportunities.

However, the negative effects of an aging society are more serious. The main problem is the increased cost of healthcare and pensions that governments must pay. When there are more older people and fewer working people, the burden on the economy becomes very heavy. For instance, countries like Japan face serious challenges because they have too many retirees and not enough young workers to support them. This situation leads to higher taxes for working people and reduced spending on other important areas like education and infrastructure.

In conclusion, although aging populations bring some benefits through experience and new economic sectors, the negative effects on government finances and economic sustainability are more problematic. Countries need to find solutions to manage these demographic changes effectively.

Word count: 224

Vocabulary used in band 6.0-6.5 in many countries the proportion of older is steadily increasing essay:

Band 7.0–7.5 Sample Response

Contemporary demographic shifts toward aging populations represent one of the most significant challenges facing developed nations today. While this trend toward increasing proportions of elderly citizens generates certain societal benefits, I contend that the negative effects substantially outweigh the positive impacts due to economic pressures and social system strain.

Aging populations do contribute valuable assets to society, particularly through accumulated knowledge and emerging market opportunities. Senior citizens possess decades of professional experience, cultural wisdom, and institutional memory that benefit organizations and communities. Germany exemplifies this positive dynamic, where older workers increasingly participate in mentorship programs and knowledge transfer initiatives, helping companies maintain competitive advantages while training younger employees. Furthermore, the expanding silver economy creates substantial business opportunities in healthcare technology, leisure services, and age-friendly product development, generating employment and innovation.

Nevertheless, the economic and social challenges posed by demographic aging present far more serious concerns for long-term societal stability. Healthcare expenditure increases exponentially as populations age, while simultaneously the working-age population shrinks, creating unsustainable dependency ratios. Italy illustrates these mounting pressures, where pension costs consume approximately 15% of GDP while the declining birth rate produces insufficient workers to fund social security systems. This demographic imbalance forces governments to choose between raising taxes on younger generations or reducing benefits for retirees, creating intergenerational tensions and limiting public investment in education and infrastructure essential for future competitiveness.

In conclusion, while aging societies benefit from accumulated experience and silver economic growth, the overwhelming economic burden and social system strain represent more significant challenges. Successful adaptation requires comprehensive policy reforms addressing workforce participation, immigration, and intergenerational equity to maintain societal cohesion and economic viability.

Word count: 267

Vocabulary used in band 7.0-7.5 in many countries the proportion of older is steadily increasing essay:

Band 8.0–9.0 Sample Response

The unprecedented demographic transformation toward aging societies fundamentally challenges traditional social and economic paradigms across developed nations. While population aging generates certain advantages through accumulated human capital and emerging economic sectors, I argue that the negative ramifications significantly overshadow these benefits, primarily due to unsustainable fiscal pressures and profound structural adjustments required across multiple societal domains.

Aging demographics do yield tangible societal benefits, particularly through the mobilization of extensive experiential resources and the cultivation of innovative economic niches. Senior populations embody irreplaceable repositories of professional expertise, cultural knowledge, and institutional wisdom that enhance organizational resilience and social continuity. Singapore exemplifies successful integration of older workers, where government initiatives encourage extended workforce participation through skills upgrading and flexible employment arrangements, simultaneously addressing labor shortages while leveraging senior expertise. Additionally, the burgeoning silver economy creates substantial value chains encompassing healthcare innovation, assistive technologies, and age-friendly services, generating employment opportunities and spurring technological advancement in previously underdeveloped market segments.

However, the systemic challenges imposed by demographic aging present exponentially more severe threats to societal stability and intergenerational equity. The fundamental arithmetic of population aging creates unsustainable dependency ratios, where shrinking working-age cohorts must support expanding retiree populations through increasingly burdensome taxation and social contribution systems. Japan’s trajectory illustrates these inexorable pressures, where healthcare expenditure approaches 11% of GDP while pension obligations consume over 10%, forcing the government to accumulate unprecedented debt levels exceeding 250% of GDP. This fiscal arithmetic inevitably constrains public investment in education, infrastructure, and innovation—the foundational elements of future economic competitiveness—while creating intergenerational wealth transfers that threaten social cohesion and democratic legitimacy.

In conclusion, although aging societies possess valuable human capital and generate niche economic opportunities, the overwhelming fiscal burden and structural adaptations required represent existential challenges for contemporary social contracts. Sustainable demographic transition demands radical policy innovation encompassing immigration reform, pension restructuring, and potentially fundamental reconfiguration of intergenerational responsibilities within democratic frameworks.

Word count: 293

Vocabulary used in band 8.0-9.0 in many countries the proportion of older is steadily increasing essay:

To upgrade your word choice and express complex ideas more effectively, visit the vocabulary list for IELTS Writing Task 2 , curated to fit essay topics like aging, economics, and demographics.

Proven Strategies for Band 7+ Performance

• Demographic Analysis: In “in many countries the proportion of older is steadily increasing” writing task 2, demonstrates understanding of population dynamics by incorporating specific statistics, ratios, and comparative data between countries to show sophisticated knowledge.
• Economic Sophistication: Address complex fiscal implications including healthcare costs, pension mathematics, and macroeconomic effects to display advanced analytical skills.
• Balanced Argumentation: Present both positive and negative effects fairly while building a convincing case for your position through evidence and logical reasoning.
• Real-World Integration: Reference specific countries, policies, and demographic trends to demonstrate awareness of global patterns and policy responses.
• Future-Oriented Thinking: Consider long-term implications and potential solutions, showing ability to think beyond immediate effects toward sustainable policy frameworks.

Wrap UP

Understanding demographic aging in “in many countries the proportion of older is steadily increasing” writing topic requires recognizing the complex interplay between economic, social, and political factors. Strong responses demonstrate awareness that this topic intersects healthcare policy, economic planning, and social welfare systems. Focus on specific, quantifiable examples while maintaining academic tone and logical progression.

Remember that examiners value nuanced analysis over simplistic conclusions. The most successful essays acknowledge the genuine benefits of aging populations while critically examining the scale and significance of challenges. This balanced yet decisive approach demonstrates the sophisticated thinking that distinguishes Band 7+ responses from lower-scoring attempts. For more model essays, grammar support, and advanced IELTS strategies, let’s return to the IELTS Sample Banks!