This article was written by Godfred Paul, Country Director, HelpAge International, Myanmar.

  • The problem: Longevity is a success story for the world and the population, but this longer lifespan comes with multiple challenges for many, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Poverty, poor health and loneliness, coupled with a lack of family care and support, exacerbate the condition.
  • Why it matters: The world we live in is a gift from the older generation. They built it with hard work and perseverance. It is our duty to respect their contributions and ensure a meaningful life for them.
  • The solution: Governments should work with families and communities to bring much-needed care and protection for older people. Build environments that are older people friendly and develop new services and programmes that meet the specific needs of the growing older population.

Addressing the challenges of an ageing population is a complex task that requires careful planning and implementation of various policies and programmes. Here are some key aspects and challenges associated with ageing populations and the role of governments.

  • In 2050, 80% of older people will be living in low- and middle-income countries.
  • The pace of population ageing is much faster than in the past.
  • In 2020, the number of people aged 60 years and older outnumbered children younger than 5 years.
  • Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%.

(Ageing and Health WHO – 2022)

Older people are a resource in the family, the community and in nation-building.

People worldwide are living longer. Today most people can expect to live into their sixties and beyond. Every country in the world is experiencing growth in both the size and the proportion of older persons in the population. By 2030, one in six people in the world will be aged 60 years or over. At this time the share of the population aged 60 years and over will increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion. By 2050, the world’s population of people aged 60 years and older will double (2.1 billion). The number of persons aged 80 years or older is expected to triple between 2020 and 2050 to reach 426 million.

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While this shift in the distribution of a country's population towards older ages — known as population ageing — started in high-income countries (for example in Japan 30% of the population is already over 60 years old), it is now low- and middle-income countries that are experiencing the greatest change. By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population over 60 years will live in low- and middle-income countries.

Healthcare costs

As the population ages, there is an increased demand for healthcare services. Older individuals often require more medical attention and long-term care, leading to higher healthcare costs.

Governments must develop sustainable healthcare systems that can accommodate the needs of an ageing population without placing an overwhelming financial burden on the state.

Common conditions in older age include:

  • hearing loss
  • cataracts and refractive errors
  • back and neck pain
  • osteoarthritis
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • diabetes
  • depression
  • dementia

As people age, they are more likely to experience several conditions at the same time.

A longer life brings with it opportunities, not only for older people and their families but also for societies as a whole. Older people also contribute in many ways to their families and communities.

Supportive physical and social environments also enable people to do what is important to them, despite losses in capacity. The availability of safe and accessible public buildings, transport and places that are easy to walk around are examples of supportive environments. In developing a public health response to ageing, it is important for governments not only to consider individual and environmental approaches that ameliorate the losses associated with older age but also those that may reinforce recovery, adaptation and psychosocial growth.

Pension and social security systems

Ageing populations put pressure on pension and social security systems. The number of retirees increases, while the working-age population may decrease, affecting the sustainability of pension funds.

Governments may need to reassess and reform pension systems to ensure they remain financially viable and provide adequate support to retirees.

Labour market challenges

An ageing workforce can lead to skill shortages in certain sectors, as older individuals may retire and there may not be enough younger workers to replace them.

Governments may need to implement policies to encourage workforce participation among older individuals, promote lifelong learning and adapt labour markets to the changing demographic landscape.

Housing and urban planning

Ageing populations may require modifications to housing infrastructure to make it more accessible and accommodating for older individuals to live independently.

Urban planning needs to consider the needs of seniors, such as accessible public transportation, age-friendly community designs, accessible public spaces and suitable and affordable healthcare facilities.

Social isolation and mental health

Older individuals may face social isolation and mental health challenges, especially if they live alone or experience physical limitations.

Governments can implement programmes to foster social inclusion through intergenerational activities, support mental health services and create age-friendly communities to enhance the overall well-being of the ageing population.

Economic impact

An ageing population can impact economic growth due to a potential decline in the labour force participation rate and productivity.

Governments may need to explore policies that encourage older people’s participation in the workforce, training older people in technology and keeping them meaningfully employed.

Long-term care and support services

There is an increased need for long-term care services as the population ages. This includes home care, community care, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

Governments must invest in and develop comprehensive long-term care policies and services to ensure that older individuals receive the support they need while maintaining their dignity and independence.

Intergenerational equity

Balancing the needs of the older population with those of younger generations is crucial for intergenerational equity.

Governments must strive to create policies that promote fairness and equity across different age groups, ensuring that the burden of an ageing population is not disproportionately borne by younger generations.

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted and collaborative approach involving healthcare, social services, labour, finance and urban planning. Governments need to anticipate demographic shifts, plan strategically and implement policies that support the well-being of citizens across all age groups.

Older people are often assumed to be frail or dependent and a burden to society. Governments, media and society as a whole need to address these and other ageist attitudes, which can lead to discrimination, affect the way policies are developed and the opportunities older people have to experience healthy and active ageing.

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared 2021–2030 the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing and asked WHO to lead the implementation. The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing is a global collaboration bringing together governments, civil society, international agencies, professionals, academia, the media and the private sector for ten years of concerted, catalytic and collaborative action to foster longer and healthier lives.

The decade builds on the WHO Global Strategy and Action Plan and the United Nations Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and supports the realisation of the United Nations Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing seeks to reduce health inequities and improve the lives of older people, their families and communities through collective action in four areas:

  1. changing how we think, feel and act towards age and ageism
  2. developing communities in ways that foster the abilities of older people
  3. delivering person-centred integrated care and primary health services responsive to older people
  4. providing older people who need it with access to quality long-term care.

Older people are a resource in the family, the community and in nation building. It is important for governments to include older people in activities that will bring peace and solidarity. They are an untapped resource available to all governments.

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(Image credit: Unsplash)