SHAPING THE FUTURE HOW CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS CAN POWER HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

action. Free public transport, and free admission
to museums, parks and tourist attractions
encourage older people to stay active even on
limited incomes.
Facilitate independent living. With the shift
from joint to nuclear families, and the increasing
rural-urban migration of young people, housing
and community amenities must increasingly become
primary supports in helping older persons
live comfortably, and remain active and engaged.
A living and working environment friendly to
older people facilitates their movement, reduces
their risk of injury, enhances their ability to
care for themselves and access services, and
increases their participation in economic and
social activities.
Priority measures include, among others,
dwellings that can accommodate those with
limited mobility and strength; a clean and
safe environment inside and outside the home;
transportation that is elderly-friendly, affordable
and accessible; walkways that are in good repair
and free of obstacles; traffic signals that allow
sufficient time for older persons to cross streets
safely; places to rest outdoors; and public buildings
accessible to those with limited mobility.
AGEING WITHOUT FEAR
The pace of ageing across Asia-Pacific is still very
uneven. Wealthier countries, such as Australia,
Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea,
have proportionately larger older populations,
although middle-income countries, such as
China and Thailand, are right behind them.
Some countries, with very youthful populations,
are on the cusp of potentially realizing their
first demographic dividend, including most
in South Asia and many in East Asia and the
Pacific. By the middle of the present century,
however, almost all Asia-Pacific countries will
have a larger share of older people.
While various efforts have been made, the
region as a whole is seriously underprepared for
the challenges ahead—or potential opportunities.
In most countries, public support systems are
inadequate, and low in coverage and benefits.
Many display deep inequities across different
population groups. At the same time, the cost
of old-age support, both in pensions and health
care, has increased drastically and is expected
to continue to do so for decades to come.
The onset of rapid ageing is an early warning
signal, a call for action. Countries need to
build robust pension and health-care systems,
create innovative ways to mobilize resources
and contain administrative costs, ensure older
people can remain active at home and in the
labour force, and equip public transport and
public buildings to facilitate mobility.
Ageing should not to be feared. With the
right planning and preparation, it can be a
source of enrichment for individuals and the
societies in which they live. Given the diverse
stages of demographic transition across the region,
countries and individuals are well placed
to share experiences and tackle the challenges
of ageing together in order to sustain human
development for all.
Given diverse stages
of demographic
transition, countries
can share solutions
to the challenges
of ageing
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