Which of the following is a problem associated with an aging population?

The increase in dependency ratio is indeed a significant problem associated with an aging population. The dependency ratio refers to the ratio of individuals who are typically not in the labor force (such as the elderly and children) to those who are in the labor force (typically adults aged 18-64). As the population ages, there is a rising number of elderly individuals who rely on the working-age population for support, whether through social services, healthcare, or pension systems. This shift can place a strain on the economy and the healthcare system, as a smaller workforce is tasked with supporting a larger number of dependents.

In contrast to this, an aging population does not lead to increased labor force participation or an increased working-age population, as these options suggest a dynamic that involves growth in the workforce. Furthermore, an aging population typically results in higher healthcare costs due to increased medical needs and the complexity of care required for more elderly individuals, making the decline in healthcare costs an unlikely outcome. Therefore, recognizing the rising dependency ratio reflects the challenges that societies face as demographic shifts occur with an increasing elderly population.