Ageing in the 21 st Century: Opportunities and Challenges

Ageing in the 21st Century:Opportunities and Challenges

RESPONDING TO AGEING: WORKSHOP TO EXCHANGE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES

Ha Noi, 25-26 September 2013

Hanoi Melia Hotel

1. Global population ageing2. A vital role in society3. Challenges of population ageing4. The way forward

Content of the presentation

1. Global population ageing

Source: UNDESA, Population Division (2012)




“Oldest old’

“Feminization of ageing”


World Developed countries

Developing counties

World Developed countries

Developing counties

Men Women

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

11% 16%9%

19%33%

10%

29%

58%

20%

22%

37%

16%

Percentage of people aged 60 or over living independently(alone or with spouse only)

Living alone Living with spouse only



Asia is the fastest ageing region

1950 1975 2000 2025 20500

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

8.1 8.8 9.9

14.9

21.9

11.7

15.5

19.5

27.3

32.6

7.4 7.3

11.2

21

32.1

5.9 5.76.4

10.4

18.6

World

MDCs

LDCs

East Asia

S.E.Asia

South Asia

Source: UNDESA 2011

% of 60+ in Total Population in Selected Regions and Income Groups, 1950-2050


Thailand and Vietnam will be the Two Most Aged Countries in South East Asia in 2050

1950 1975 2000 2025 20500

5

10

15

20

25

30

6.2 5.47.6

12.8

22.3

5 5

8.1

17.1

27.1

7 7.5 7.5

12.6

23.5CAMBODIAINDONESIALAOSMALAYSIAMYANMARPHILIPPINESTHAILANDEASTTIMORVIETNAM

% of 60+ in Total Population, 1950-2050


Longevity dividend• Social and cultural contributions: Caregiving and

volunteering• Economic contributions: Giving more than

receiving• Political contributions: Voting and decision-

making

2. A vital role in society

Financial security • Poverty and social exclusion– Linked to low income, lack of pension benefits, low

literacy, poor health and malnutrition– Strong gender dimension in poverty– Multi-dimensional Social Exclusion Index: • economic (income), • social services (affordability and accessibility of health and

education), • participation (political participation and in social

networks)

3. The challenges of population ageing

Pension beneficiaries worldwide

• Mechanisms to reduce poverty in old age– Social transfers

• Extending pension coverage through non-contributory schemes• Universal social pensions can be introduced for a moderate

cost: range between 0.7% GDP to 2.6% GDP (for 60+)• Reforming contributory pension systems: either by changing

underlying parameters (parametric reforms) or by radically changing the design of the system (structural reforms)

• Private transfers and assets– Economic development and employment

“Older persons should be enabled to continue with income generating work for as long as they want and for as long as they are able to do so productively.” (Madrid Plan, para. 22)

Need for policy change


Advancing health into old age• The rise of non-communicable diseases– Biggest cause of death; Millions living with

disabilities; Global concern on dementia, distress– Risk factors for chronic diseases: high blood

pressure, smoking, and high blood glucose level• Quality of care and rising healthcare costs:

double cost burden in developing countries• Poor conditions earlier in life place older

people at risk of serious health problems


Prevalence of moderate and severe disability in adults aged 60+ by leading health condition associated with disability, in developed and developing countries

• Approaches for healthy ageing– Change in health-care system in response to the

change from CD to NCD– Training of care providers and health professionals– Prevention, early detection and effective

management programmes– Promoting good health and healthy behaviours at

all ages to prevent or delay the development of chronic disease


Age-friendly environments and Delivery human rights for older persons

• Improving infrastructure: aged-friendly cities• Old age in migration: more older migrants and old age staying

behind• Ageing in climate change and protection in emergencies• Supporting family caregivers• Exposing elder abuse and discrimination• Human rights challenges for older people: – discrimination; – poverty and inadequate living conditions; – violence and abuse against older people; and – lack of special measures, mechanisms and services for older

people.


“Population ageing presents challenges for governments and society, but need not be seen as a crisis”

• Key points for consideration in decision-making:– Older persons’ participation in decision-making– Age-inclusive approach to stakeholders– Mainstreaming ageing and older persons

• Needs:– Challenge age discrimination– Ensure income security for all– Ensure access to quality health– Enhance capacity building, research and data– Budget allocation to develop, implement and evaluate evidence-

based policies

4. The way forward

Thank you for your attention.

Documents

Ageing in the 21 st Century: Opportunities and Challenges