Demographics

A consumer revolution in learning has been underway throughout the world over the past 30 years. The resulting changes are global in scope, but they are local in the types of structural and demographic changes that are occurring in specific countries. In a great many countries the demand for higher education [Page 116]has outstripped the capacity of governments and institutions to provide access to residential face-to-face universities for young people, and a range of new government-sponsored flexible learning programs and open universities have been created. In economically advantaged countries that are well along in the transition from an industrial economy to one based on information and knowledge, more adults with increasing levels of education are entering the workforce. Women make up a greater percentage of ...