57. At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large no. of young adults compared with the no. of older people.

Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?

Sample Answer 1

Band 8.5

At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults compared with the number of older people. This situation has both positive and negative aspects, and different opinions may exist on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. In this essay, I will partly agree with this statement, as I will argue that while having a large number of young adults can bring many benefits, it can also cause some problems.

One of the main advantages of having a large number of young adults compared with the number of older people is the economic growth that it can generate. Young adults are usually more productive, innovative, and entrepreneurial than older people, as they have more energy, skills, and creativity. They can contribute to the development of various sectors, such as technology, education, or entertainment, and create more jobs and opportunities. 

          Another advantage of having a large number of young adults compared with the number of older people is      the social and cultural development that it can foster. Young adults are usually more open-minded, tolerant,       and diverse than older people, as they have more exposure and access to different cultures, values, and                 lifestyles. They can promote the social and cultural diversity and richness of their countries, and enhance the        mutual understanding and cooperation among different groups. 

One of the main disadvantages of having a large number of young adults compared with the number of older people is the demographic imbalance that it can create. Having a large number of young adults means having a low fertility rate and a low dependency ratio, which can have negative consequences for the future population and the social security system. For example, having fewer children can lead to a shrinking and aging population, which can reduce the labor force and the tax revenue. Having fewer dependents can also mean having less family support and care for the elderly, which can increase the burden on the public services and the welfare system.

Another disadvantage of having a large number of young adults compared with the number of older people is the intergenerational gap that it can widen. Having a large number of young adults means having a large difference in the experiences, perspectives, and expectations of the younger and the older generations, which can cause conflicts and misunderstandings. 

 In conclusion, this essay has partly agreed with the statement that the advantages of having a large number of young adults compared with the number of older people outweigh the disadvantages. It has argued that while having a large number of young adults can bring many benefits, such as economic growth and social and cultural development, it can also cause some problems, such as demographic imbalance and intergenerational gap. Therefore, it is suggested that the governments and the societies should adopt policies and measures to balance the needs and the interests of both the young and the old, and to foster a harmonious and prosperous society.

Difficult Words/Phrases with Example Sentences:

Demographic imbalance: (Meaning: Uneven distribution of different age groups in a population)

Example: Large numbers of young adults compared to older people can create a demographic imbalance.

Fertility rate: (Meaning: Number of births per woman)

Example: Low fertility rates contribute to smaller future populations.

Dependency ratio: (Meaning: Ratio of dependents to working-age population)

Example: A low dependency ratio can result in a smaller workforce supporting a larger elderly population.

Social security system: (Meaning: System that provides financial support to retirees and others)

Example: Demographic imbalances can put strain on social security systems.

Labor force: (Meaning: People available to work)

Example: Shrinking populations can reduce the available labor force.

Tax revenue: (Meaning: Money collected from taxes)

Example: Smaller working populations can lead to lower tax revenue.

Intergenerational gap: (Meaning: Differences in attitudes and values between generations)

Example: Wide gaps between young and old populations can lead to misunderstandings.

Policies and measures: (Meaning: Actions taken to address an issue)

Example: Governments can implement policies to support both young and old populations.

Harmonious: (Meaning: Peaceful and cooperative)

Example: Policies should aim for a harmonious society where all ages thrive.

Prosperous: (Meaning: Successful and wealthy)

Example: Balancing age needs can contribute to a prosperous society for all.