Centenarian Overload

“Japan's centenarian population hit a record-high 69,785 as of September, with women accounting for 88.1 percent of the total, on the back of medical advances and greater health consciousness, the welfare ministry said Friday.” - from the article, “Centenarians in Japan hit record 69,785, nearly 90% of them women” in The Jakarta Post

Senior citizens over 65 years of age comprise 25% of the population in Japan. The number is increasing every year while the general population is declining. The centenarian trend is also increasing annually. Soon, the majority of the population will be “little old ladies.”

The quoted article is of interest because the same phenomenon has been observed in Hawai’i. Of particular interest is that moms fall into that category. Thus, the previously projected longevity estimate of 105 to 110 years of age for moms was realistic.

The issue is recurring because nearly all current decisions, from the possible divestiture of the minivan to continued residency, all hinge on moms. As it becomes much clearer that moms will continue on for at least 8 to 13 years, any kind of planning becomes difficult.

What is even worse is that another financial crash in empire is inevitable, but the ramifications will be global. The “Western” central banks will follow the same formulaic monetary policies (i.e., ZIRP and QE). However, the “recovery” time will be even longer, possibly approaching 20 years. There will be no choice but to embrace motorhomelessness when that time comes. Otherwise, money will deplete to nothing within a few short years.

Addendum: There are a barrage of articles concerning the booming senior citizen population in Japan, many of which chronicled the tragedy of old age, decrepitude, and death. The crux of the matter is that the issue isn’t limited to Japan. Nearly all “developed” nations will be experiencing the same in due time.