第三篇:
      Most in this current generation of elderly in Taiwan are relying mainly on their children, , so supporting themhasn't yet become too serious of a public problem, but senior citizens of the future will not have it so lucky. Manyof them won't have any children to turn to. And even if they do, taking care of the aging parents can present quitea challenge to young generations, who may have problems supporting themse! elves and making ends meet.
        According to a 2006 study on social development trends in Taiwan by the Directorate-General of Budget,Accounting and Statistics, 254,000 of Taiwan's 5.19 million married couples were childless. These include10,000 over the age of 60, and 21,000 in their fifties. But even if younger couples do have children, they must beprepared for insufficient support. The same study found that in comparison to those over the age of 60, whohave an aver rage of 3.7 children, the 'future elderly" now in their forties have only 2.3 children and those in theirthirties only 1.76 children.
       Apart from a growing burden on individual children, this trend means that more elderly will need to rely ongovernment assistance, which will result in tremendous fiscal pressures. According to demographer JamesHsueh, a consultant at the Executive Yuan, Taiwan, in 1993, became an aging society, as defined by the UN forhaving more than 7% of its po opulation 1 over the age of 65. Today, 17 years later, the elderly population on stands at10.7%, approximately 2.4 million. Although this seems like a slightly lower number than the 12% of HongKong's and a long way from the extremely old society of Japan at 21%, the government should be on full alert.Hsuch foresees that because of the precipitous fall in the birthrate, Taiwan will start aging rapidly in 2016.Meanwhile, he expects life expectancy to increase, currently standing at 82 for women and 76 for men. Becausethe retired population will be large and the working population smali, the number of taxpayers will fall, and thegovernment will be harder pressed to care for the elderly.
【題組】46. Of which article can the above passage be an excerpt?
(A) Launching Taiwan's 21 " Century Senior Welfare Policy
(B) Liabilities of Current Elderly Care Program
(C) Reassessing Pension Plans and Retirement Funds
(D) Stimulus Plan to Raise Birthrate