GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 87
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people.
Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1: [View – the disadvantages outweigh the advantages]
The current demographic composition of some countries, characterized by a relatively large number of young adults in comparison to the number of older people, presents both advantages and disadvantages. While there are certainly benefits to having a youthful population, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks. In my opinion, the disadvantages of it outweigh the advantages.
One of the main advantages of a young adult population is their potential for driving economic growth and productivity. Young individuals are often more energetic, adaptable, and open to innovation, making them valuable contributors to a nation’s workforce. Their dynamic and creative ideas can fuel entrepreneurship and technological advancements, leading to economic development and prosperity. Additionally, a larger pool of young adults can help support the social welfare system by contributing to the tax base.
However, there are also huge disadvantages associated with an imbalanced age distribution. One significant concern is the potential strain on education and the job sector. With a larger proportion of young adults, there may be a higher demand for education, and employment opportunities, which can stretch resources and infrastructure. Furthermore, an overreliance on a young adult population may create a demographic time bomb in the long term. As these individuals age, the population pyramid may invert, leading to an imbalance with fewer younger individuals to support an ageing population.
In considering whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, it is crucial to recognize that the long-term sustainability of a population relies on a balanced age structure. So when a country has a large portion of young adults, it will create more problems than the benefits it brings.
In conclusion, while a population skewed towards young adults brings certain advantages in terms of economic potential and social vitality, it is essential to consider the potential disadvantages which have more detrimental effects.
Model Answer 2: [View – the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.]
In this day and age, the ageing population is declining in many countries across the world creating a situation where young people have become the largest portion of the demographic. Although there are limitations to this phenomenon related to an experienced workforce, it still is a positive sign as it leads to bolstering economies.
There are several drawbacks to having predominately young people in a country. The most frequently cited downside is the lack of skilled workforce. To put it another way, many important industries have felt the full impact of the scarcity of extensive expertise. A good example here is India, which has a large young population. The country suffers from a scarcity of leaders in important areas such as engineering. There was a lack of skilled engineers to build the Mumbai Expressed Flyover. It had to hire a substantial number of specialists from Japan so as to accomplish the feat.
Despite this downside, the benefit of a young population is that it brings many advantages to a country and is a key indicator of economic prosperity. A case in point is India, where nearly 60 per cent population is young, which gives the country a competitive advantage in the international outsourcing market as it provides a large, skilled workforce capable of satisfying the brainpower demand of the international economy. Similarly, a larger working population boosts business profits. That is to say that it increases competition for jobs, which in turn helps to keep labour wages, thereby maximizing profits.
In conclusion, it seems reasonable to assume that the advantages of a youthful population outstrip the disadvantages. Therefore, governments should pay attention so that they can fully exploit the advantages of their demographics.