The rapidly aging populations of many developed countries--most notably Japan and member countries of the European Union--present obvious problems for the public pension plans of these countries. Not only will there be disproportionately fewer workers making pension contributions than there are...

Introduction and overview -- Population dynamics in Brazil -- Old-age social protection programs and the aging challenge -- Health and long-term care -- Education and productivity -- Public finance implications of population aging: 2005-50 -- Financing Brazil's aging population : implications...

How does social spending relate to economic growth and which countries have got this right and wrong? Peter Lindert examines the experience of countries across the globe to reveal what has worked, what needs changing, and who the winners and losers are under different systems. He traces the...