The age of gilded youth is over. Today’s under-thirties are the first generation for a century who can expect a lower living standard than their parents.
Research into the lifestyles and prospects of people who were horn since 1970 shows that they ere likely to face a lifetime of longer working hours, lower job security and higher taxes than the previous generation.
When they leave work late in the evening, they will be more likely to return to a small rented flat than to a house of their own. When, ually, they retire, their pensions are far lower in real terms than those of their immediate forebears.
These findings are revealed in a study of the way the ageing of Britain’s population is affecting different generations.
Anthea Tinker, professor of social gerontology (老人学) at King’s College London, who carried out much of the work, said the growth of the proportion of people over 50 had reversed the traditional flow of wealth from older to younger generations.
"Today’s older middle-aged and elderly, are becoming the new winners," she said. "They made relatively small contributions in tax but now make relatively big claims on the welfare system. Generations born in the last three to four decades face the prospect of handing over more than a third of their lifetime’s earnings to care for them."
The surging number of older people, many living alone, has also increased demand for property and pushed up house prices. While previous generations found it easy to raise a mortgage, today’s under-thirties have to live with their parents or rent. If they can afford to buy a home it is more likely to be a flat than a house.
Laura Lenox-Conyngham, 28, grew up in a large house and her mother did not need to work. Unlike her wealthy parents, she graduated with student and postgraduate loan debts of ￡13,000. She now earns about ￡20,000 a year, preparing food to be photographed for magazines. Her home is a one-bedroom flat in central London and she sublets (转租) the lounge sofa-bed to her brother.
"My father took pity and paid off my student debts," she said. "But I still have no pension and no chance of buying a property for at le0st a couple of years—and then it will be something small in a bad area. My only hope is the traditional one of meeting a rich man."
Tinker’s research reveals Lenox-Conyngham is representative of many young professionals, especially in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol.
Why are today’s older middle-aged and elderly becoming the new winners