The elderly aren’t actually dragging down the economy

Published August 23, 2018 6:49pm ET



In a recent worldwide study on the effects of aging on economic growth between 1990 through 2014, three economists found good news for those who worry about what the future holds for the United States as demographic change brings a rising tide of senior citizens.

We know that older people are savers. So, let’s cut to the chase: The researchers found that the extra money saved by seniors funds investment to such an extent that GDP growth responds positively. More seniors yields more GDP, not less. As with all good things, there are limits, of course. But all else equal, America’s economic outlook may actually become brighter as the over-60 share of the population increases.

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