That means China's old-age dependency ratio (which compares the number of people over 65 with those aged 15 to 64) will soar.

ECONOMIST: Demography

To the extent that the least-skilled need help, we will be in a much better position to afford safety nets, and our main concern will be the age-old one of discouraging dependency.

FORBES: A Cheerful Welcome To The Robots, Our Future Work Overlords

Across Europe, the dependency ratio of older people (aged 65 and over) to those of working age (15-64) will double from one-to-four to one-to-two by 2050.

ECONOMIST: Economics focus