Davies and James's carefully edited and well-argued book provides a comprehensive overview of the geographical dimensions of population ageing, and is an interesting exploration of the intersection between ageing studies and human geography. The main argument focuses on the spatial variability and unevenness in global population ageing, and thus associates spatial variance in macro ageing trends with spatial unevenness in socio-economic development. The authors provide an overview of current global patterns of spatial distribution in older and younger populations as well as a projection (Part 1). Above all, they identify patterns of migration and ‘ageing in place’ as main drivers of population (Part 2). The analysis of the interaction between migration and population shift considers the connection of migration with lifecourse transitions (employment, family formation, retirement migration): Chapters 4, 5 and 6 examine these patterns in working-age populations, elderly retirement, and youth migration, mainly from rural to urban areas. The study of ‘ageing in place’, on the other hand, focuses on naturally occurring retirement communities – arising as a consequence of retirement migration for amenity or health care; and planned retirement communities – housing estates targeted at old people (Chapters 7 and 8).
Of particular relevance is the argument presented in Chapter 5 on labour geography, illustrating how unevenness in employment opportunities influences spatial mobility and distribution of working-age populations, and consequently impacts on the spatial unevenness of ageing. Spatial movements of working-age populations are in turn affected by spatial fixity of employment, and are the result of both demand and supply forces as well socially constructed divisions of labour – gender, class and ethnicity.
While these social processes create a shift in the population profile of communities, in Part 3 the authors challenge the common assumption that ageing produces a strain on socio-economic resources. They showcase examples where retirement migration has contributed to economic inflow and development of destination regions, and to environmental conservation.
The authors’ main points are supported by case studies primarily carried out in Australia, with a few from the United States of America (USA). However, given global ageing trends, the fact that such studies are based on areas less affected by social and economic challenges of ageing is a limitation. It would be interesting to see this analysis combine the study of population ageing, human and labour geography with that of socio-economic development in regions presenting major population challenges, focusing on interactions between more developed economies with larger ageing populations and regions with lower socio-economic status and a higher proportion of the young.
The current case of many ageing European countries, where the driving forces of migration and labour flow from ‘younger’ areas with lower socio-economic development, such as Africa, may be a valuable example of how ageing and migration processes can result in new forms of migration (as in the case of migrant care workers) as well as relevant policy challenges and implications (International Organization for Migration 2010). Conversely, the volume's main focus on Australia and the USA will be of particular interest to researchers and students in these areas, providing a valuable general overview of population ageing as well as showcasing core population trends in those regions.
