SHAPING THE FUTURE HOW CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS CAN POWER HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

FIGURE 4.1:
Asia-Pacific is one of the fastest ageing regions
Source: Based on UN DESA 2015a.
icant numbers. 5 The growth of the ‘oldest old’
population is currently fastest in East Asia and
South-east Asia, but will accelerate from 2030
in all subregions except the Pacific.
FIGURE 4.2:
A number of Asia-Pacific countries will age in
a few quick decades—or less
Number of years required to increase the share of older
people from 7 to 14 percent
THE FACE OF AGE IS FEMALE
Higher and rising female life expectancy drives
the feminization of ageing in Asia-Pacific. Not
only do women comprise the majority of older
people, but their share tends to increase with age.
In 2013, there were 91 males per 100 females
60 years and over. By contrast, the ‘oldest old’
had 69 males per 100 females (Figure 4.5). The
‘oldest old’ sex ratio, however, has increased due
to improvements in the health of older men,
particularly in East Asia. By 2050, the gender
ratio for those 80 years and over is projected to
rise to 72 men per 100 women.
The higher life expectancy of women is
mainly due to biology as well as some behavioural
patterns that, for instance, put young men at
greater risk of violent deaths. There is a clear
need to incorporate gender dimensions of ageing
in public policy and elsewhere, based on women’s
longer lifespan as well as the imperative of
Source: Kinsella and Wan 2009.
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