Gray Power - Economic Implications

Credit illustrator Mike Dowdall for this delightful figurine. Now Art Director for Westland Giftware, after stints with Dakin, Portal, Hallmark and Bradford Exchange, Dowdall has created an entire line around the idea that "old is happening." (Click here to see more of his work.) Seeing a selection of this new product line in a local gift shop, I enjoyed a few chuckles but that's not all. It's yet another indicator that we are in for a radical change with respect to all things demographic. After all, no company is willing to commit funds unless they anticipate commercial success with lots of "geezers who get it."

Consider the following facts reported in "The Profile of Older Americans - 2005," published by the U.S. federal government. (Click here for a copy of the report.)

<< The older population (65+) numbered 36.3 million in 2004, an increase of 3.1 million or 9.3% since 1994. The number of Americans aged 45-64 – who will reach 65 over the next two decades – increased by 39% during this decade. About one in every eight, or 12.4 percent, of the population is an older American. Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 18.5 years (19.8 years for females and 16.8 years for males). Older women outnumber older men at 21.1 million. >>

This seismic shift in population make-up has the potential to impact every aspect of the U.S. labor landscape, not to mention the economic well-being of Corporate America. New York Times reporter Elizabeth Olson discusses the increased number of gray-friendly job boards. In "Some Web Job Sites Put Out 'Gray Hair Welcome' Signs," she writes: "Of the estimated 76 million baby boomers reaching retirement in coming years, some will start businesses. But the majority who continue to work will seek the familiarity and security of a regular paycheck."

At roughly twenty-five percent of total U.S. population, workers over 55 years could exert some serious bargaining power. Companies in desperate need of skilled workers will likely rethink their HR policies, including benefits that appeal to the "seasoned" set. That's on top of the oft-discussed cost of funding benefits for individuals whose lifespans are outpacing that of the trademarked Energizer Bunny.

Parenthetically, this pattern is not unique to the U.S. and arguaby more pronounced in countries such as Italy and Japan. Former U.S. Census Bureau Director Martha Farnsworth Riche describes "expensive housing, inflexible work practices, and persistence of traditional gender roles" as reasons for a reduction in new births, making seniors a large cohort in both an absolute and relative sense. (See "Population Aging: National Differences Make a Difference" - January 2004.)

Email us if you'd like some help in quantifying the relationship between demographics and your company's bottom line.

Labels: Demographics

posted by Susan Mangiero at 1/14/2007 02:29:00 PM