4/23 Talk about Korea’s aging society.

Korea is one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world.

ex> Japan has one of the most rapidly aging populations among advanced nations.

It was officially labeled an “aging society” back in 2000. That’s when the elderly started to take up more than 7% of the country’s population.

* the elderly: 노년층

ex> You should always try to respect the elderly.

Korea is now approaching the next level – an “aged society.” That’s when the elderly account for more than 14% of the total population.

It is expected to hit that mark within the next decade.

* within the next decade: 향후 10년 안에

ex> I’m not sure whether I would get married within the next decade.

ex> The company has set a goal to go public within the next decade.

The main factors behind this trend are the country’s low birthrate and longer life expectancy.

ex> The Korean population enjoys a longer life expectancy than ever.

If the current trend holds, Korea will face lower economic productivity in the future.

ex> The government needs to boost economic productivity.

Plus, the burden of the working population to support the elderly will increase greatly.

@ I’ll meet you halfway in between.  중간에서 만나자

<HOMEWORK>

1. Japan is one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world.

2. The young people should respect the elderly.

3. Women have a longer life expectancy than men.

4. Health problems can lower economic productivity.

@ Related Topics>> Aging Society

2/13 Aging Society

DIALOG>> Korea's opulation is aging.

Senior citizens are so healthy these days.
* senior citizen: 어르신

Plus there are so many of them out and about.
* be out and about: 원기를 회복하다. 활동적이다.
ex> She was out and about.

Korea’s population is definitely aging.

Everyone is living longer and longer.

It’s also because the birthrate is so low.


RESPONSE>> Talk about Korea’s aging population

Korea officially became an aging society back in 2000 where the elderly made up at least 7% of the country’s population.
* aging society: 고령화 사회
* make up: 구성하다
ex> There are many effects of Korea being an aging society.

The next level would be an aged society where the elderly make up 14%.
* aged society: 고령 사회
ex> Boys make up 65% of our class.

We’re expected to cross that mark in 2018.
* cross the mark: 분기점에 도달하다
ex> Once you cross that mark, it’ll become easier.

If things continue, the elderly will soon reach 20% of the population by 2026.

Korea will then e an ultra-aged society.
* ultra-aged society: 초고령 사회

Korea is likely to have the biggest proportion of elderly citizens in the world by 2050.
* proportion: 비중, 비례, part
ex> The biggest proportion of my spending is on my monthly rent.

We can partly blame this on the country’s low birthrate.
* blame something on: ~을 --의 탓으로 돌리다
ex> Don’t blame your mistake on me.

Thanks to technology and medicine, our life expectancy is getting longer and longer as well.
ex> What’s the average life expectancy for our generation?


@ My medication is wearing off. 약효가 점점 떨어지고 있어

1. Social welfare is important in an aging society.

2. The elderly make up 14% of the city's population.

3. Korea cross that mark in 2011.

4. The life expectancy of an average Korean women is 84.