The Cabinet Office published a 'white paper' at the end of February 2018 entitled 'Meeting our Population Challenges. These challenges are identified as:
i) the first fall in population for 30 years
ii) the declining numbers of births
iii) the net emigration of young people and
iv) the growing number of elderly people.
The stated aim of the paper is “to encourage debate in Government and throughout society so that population-related policy can be reviewed”.
In the 12 slides below I attempt to present and summarise my own understanding of the four 'population challenges'.
To summarise:
The Island’s overall population declined. The over 65 population increased but the under 65 population fell. Emigration exceeded immigration for the first time since the 1950s.
The number of births in the Isle of Man fell sharply. The 2017 births total was the lowest for 30 years. The number of women having a second child fell. The number of women of child-bearing age declined.
The balance of migration for young adults was heavily weighted towards emigration. The 20-24 age group showed a substantial loss. Career prospects and social life were among the reasons offered for Manx graduates not intending to return.
The population aged faster than expected. Nearly every age group over 50 has more people now. The over 65 years population may have reached 21% (the UN would call this a ‘hyper-aged’ population).