A Near Electoral Majority of Pensioners: Prospects and Policies

摘要

EVIDENCE FROM A variety of sources indicates that the age structure of a population influences the allocation of public spending. Countries with older populations generally spend more on social programs, particularly on those that help the elderly. McDonald and Budge (2005), using data from 21 democracies, found that the proportion of the population aged 65 and older had a strong positive influence on government social spending in the 1990s after controlling for the ideology of the political party inpower.