For the first time in history old people outnumber the young on our planet.
In the 20th century, the world’s population quadrupled, becoming a threat to the planet. But in the time it took for those babies to grow old, the world has been turned on its head.
Shrinking birth rates and longer life expectancies have seen an explosion in the number of old people. It’s estimated that by 2050, many countries will have up to a third of their population aged over 60.
Through everyday stories from Japan, China, Italy and Australia, Baby Boom To Bust takes us to the human heart of the coming crisis. Following a mayor’s struggle to revive his dying town in southern Italy; elderly matchmakers in Japan; and grey nomads in Australia, the two-part series is a crucial exploration of our future.