McKinsey Factlets

I think McKinsey’s research is brilliant. How many of their clients understand let alone know what to do with it is another matter, but, for the depth of their knowledge and levels of raw mental-horsepower they are in a league of their own.

Obviously, McKinsey is well aware about the issues of the aging population and its implications. Here are some of the factlets it uses to draw attention to the issue.

Questions:

1. What is the change in Germany’s population over the age of 75 from 2005 to 2015?

2. What will be the increase in the tax burden needed to maintain current benefit levels for Germany’s future generations?

3. What will be the change in Japan’s population over the age of 75 from 2005 to 2015?

4. What will be the increase in the tax burden needed to maintain current benefit levels for Japan’s future generations?

Answers:

1. 33%
2. 90%
3. 36%
4. 175%

Any CEO who doesn’t look at these factlets and gulp and then hurriedly write a note in her/his urgent ‘to do list’ is a fool.Dick Stroud