| CODE | ECN5227 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Economics of Ageing Populations | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Economics | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit focuses on the main issues related to demographic developments over the medium to long term. In this study-unit the implications of ageing on economic growth and the sustainability of public finances will be discussed. Special reference will be made to intergenerational transfers and pensions with emphasis on the role of the state, the set up of different pension systems and a discussion on the different options related to pension reform. The unit also focuses on the fundamental and economic principles related to health and health care with an emphasis on the economic underpinnings of decision making in health care. Special reference will be made to the principle structures which make up a health care system and to the dynamics of economic behaviour of key players within the sector. Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to provide students with an understanding of the main issues related to pensions, ageing and health. The study-unit provides the necessary theoretical and empirical tools to analyse the implications of ageing particularly on the provision of pensions and health care. The unit aims to provide students with the necessary tools for a better understanding of the current issues and future challenges in this area of economics. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Better link demographic, economic and social developments to the problems related to the ageing of the populations; - Understand the nature and scope of the economic issues of ageing; - Identify the conceptual and theoretical bases of the economic analysis of issues related to the ageing of the population and the provision of health care; - Analyse and understand the behaviour and interaction of key players in the health sector; - Discuss different forms of pension and health systems which exist in different countries and on the different reform options applied within various countries. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply knowledge to the understanding of current issues and problems in this very area of study; - Critically analyze decisions taken by policy makers in this sector; - Link issues related to pension reform and health care systems reform with economic policy developments at the EU level and the international level; - Develop an appreciation for political economy, and hence the link between Economics and other related disciplines. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Nicholas, B. (2003), The Welfare State as Piggy Bank, Oxford University Press. - Stephen, M., Nancy, D., Parkin,D., Economic Analysis in Health Care April 2007, Wiley. - Drummond, M. Sculpher,M. Claxton, K. Stoddart, G., Torrance, G., Methods for the Economic Evaluation of Health Care Programmes, 4th Edition (2015), Oxford University Press. Supplementary texts: - The 2018 Ageing Report: economic and budgetary projections for the EU-28 Member States (2016-2070) Joint Report prepared by the European Commission (DG ECFIN) and the Economic Policy Committee (AWG) https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/economic-and-financial-affairs-publications_en. - Sherman, F., Goodman, C., Stano, M., Economics of Health and Health Care, (6th Edition). Prentice Hall. - Health Economics: Theories, Insights, and Industry Studies. By Rexford E. Santerre, Stephen P. Neun. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Jose Louis Iparraguirre Mireia Jofre Bonet Carl Camilleri Philip Von Brockdorff |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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