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Old age - burden or triumph?

What are the issues in an increasingly ageing world? Longer working lives, probably. But the label old age will become less associated with incapacity and more to do with new challenges.

The developed world is ageing rapidly. Some estimates say a third of people in North America, China and Europe will be in their 80s by 2050. What does this mean for retirement and pensions? Longer working lives? More support from younger generations? But demographics aside, old age can mean new challenges and interests - we meet the "silver surfer", the 82-year old internet blogger from rural England.

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18 minutes

Last on

New Year's Day 201002:40GMT
BBC World Service Online

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Broadcasts

  • Thu 31 Dec 200908:32GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • Thu 31 Dec 200919:40GMT
    BBC World Service Online
  • New Year's Day 201002:40GMT
    BBC World Service Online

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