SHAPING THE FUTURE HOW CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS CAN POWER HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

4.
AGEING
SOCIETIES:
NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO THRIVE
People in Asia-Pacific live far longer today than they
did a half-century ago, testifying to the success of
the region’s human development, with its better
nutrition, education, health care and economic
well-being. As societies age, they face both challenges
and opportunities. From a human development
perspective, human well-being must extend to all
ages and stages of life, a commitment echoed in
the call of Agenda 2030 to leave no one behind.
Population ageing is an inevitable consequence
of demographic transition. Globally, more than 2
billion people in the world will be over age 60 by
2050; more than 1 billion will live in Asia-Pacific.
In 2005, the region, for the first time in its history,
had more older people than children under age five.
Given the current speed of ageing in Asia-Pacific,
countries have limited time to prepare for an older
society. Many will face ageing at lower levels of
socioeconomic development than was the case
in developed Western countries that aged over a
longer period of time, allowing them to become
economically prosperous first. A number of Asia-Pacific
countries will have to simultaneously juggle
traditional human development issues, such as
low levels of education and health, and needs for
pensions and other forms of support for the aged.
Current financial conditions and the narrow window
during which these changes have to be made will
only heighten some of the complexities.
given disadvantages imposed by gender discrimination
throughout their lives. This manifests, for
example, in more limited earnings and savings.
The challenges of ageing should not overshadow its
opportunities—or the rights of older people, which
are the same as for all other age groups. Older
people are a vital social resource, and societies do
well when they encourage them to share lifetimes of
understanding and experience. When countries leave
the elderly behind, by contrast, national well-being
falters. Countries perform best when they invest
in pension systems, access to health care and the
social inclusion of older people. 1
Managing ageing is a complex and dynamic process.
Until now, Asia-Pacific governments have mainly
focused on youth development, poverty reduction,
job creation and the eradication of infectious diseases,
paying less attention to the issues of older
persons. Given the direction of demographics,
however, it is time to begin integrating ageing issues
across all elements of national development
planning, whether in transport or housing, labour
or health care. Ageing is already a serious issue in
East Asia. Other subregions have some breathing
time—but not much. All countries need to begin
preparing for what lies ahead.
Growing numbers of older people may contend with
issues of income security, access to health services,
and community recognition and participation. The
traditional family support system is under pressure,
a trend intensified by shrinking family size and in
some cases the migration of children to cities in
search of work. More and more older people will
live alone—many will be women, as they live longer.
Women as a whole will face greater vulnerabilities,
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