[General] The driver is in large part demography

[caronmi]

As Japan's army of retirees grows and its work force shrinks, the ranks of free-spending consumers have been thinning. Among those still employed, workers approaching retirement are more likely to save than to spend. "The driver is in large part demography. It has to do with a shrinking working population. It also has to do with the country's historical high saving."

Could you help me with the bold part? I don't know what their meanings are. Thank you.

 

[freezeframe]

As Japan's army of retirees grows and its work force shrinks, the ranks of free-spending consumers have been thinning. Among those still employed, workers approaching retirement are more likely to save than to spend. "The driver is in large part demography. It has to do with a shrinking working population. It also has to do with the country's historical high saving."

Could you help me with the bold part? I don't know what their meanings are. Thank you.

It's a terribly phrased sentence. It means that the reason behind the shrinking ranks of free-spending consumers is demographic -- large segment of the population is retired or is near retirement.

country's historical high savings = historically (judging from the past) Japanese save more than than they spend; there's a culture of saving.

 

[caronmi]

It's a terribly phrased sentence. It means that the reason behind the shrinking ranks of free-spending consumers is demographic -- large segment of the population is retired or is near retirement.

country's historical high savings = historically (judging from the past) Japanese save more than than they spend; there's a culture of saving.

But why the author used "driver" instead of "drive"? Can "driver" be replaced by "drive"?

 

[freezeframe]

But why the author used "driver" instead of "drive"? Can "driver" be replaced by "drive"?

I don't know why the writer chose one word over the other. You'll have to ask him. :-D

driver - definition. American English definition of driver by Macmillan Dictionary

4
something that makes important things happen, for example in an organization or economy

a study of technology as a driver of change in industry

 

[caronmi]

Thanks! Seems you’re here all the time. Don’t you ever go and get some sleep?:shock:

 

[freezeframe]

Thanks! Seems you’re here all the time. Don’t you ever go and get some sleep?:shock:

That's a problem?

 

[caronmi]

That's a problem?

That's not a problem, just a question. ;-)