Ageing, Education and Health in Portugal

Prospective from the 19th to the 21st Century

Abstract

This article has several objectives. Firstly, to present the main characteristics of Portuguese demographic dynamics. Secondly, to analyze the extent to which future changes in demographic structures by age and sex, as well as educational level, will affect the average health status of the Portuguese population. We will consider ageing phenomenon as a global trend and its impact on the future health status. We will point out expected trends in health care support and needs; forecast the impact on the population’s health status due to recent demographic changes in age structure; evaluate to what extent educational levels can be considered as predictors of health status and care needs; analyze the consequences of the expected compression of morbidity of most aged groups for the coming decades.