Global population ageing: challenges and solutions

In recent decades, the global community has been facing an unprecedented rise in the number of elderly people. Read about the economic and social consequences of this trend in the material of Kazinform News Agency correspondent.

People around the world are living longer, with most now expecting to live into their sixties and beyond. In every country, both the absolute number and the share of elderly people in the overall population are increasing. This demographic shift has significant implications for healthcare, social services, and economies, requiring countries to adapt their systems to meet the needs of an aging population.

The proportion of elderly people worldwide is steadily increasing. According to UNFPA, the share of people aged 65 and older grew from 5.5% in 1974 to 10.3% in 2024, and is projected to reach 20.7% by 2074. WHO reports that the number of elderly individuals will rise from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion by 2030, doubling by 2050. The number of people over 80 is expected to triple, reaching 426 million. This demographic shift poses challenges for economies and social systems globally.

In developed countries like Japan, aging populations are already having a significant impact on the economy and society. In Japan, nearly 30% of citizens are over 65, leading to shifts in business priorities. For example, in March 2024, Oji Holdings stopped producing baby diapers to focus on the more profitable adult diaper market. Similar demographic trends are expected in Italy, Germany, and other developed countries by 2060.

The aging process is accelerating rapidly in developing countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, presenting significant socio-economic challenges. According to the Asian Development Bank, by 2050, the number of people over 60 in this region will nearly double, reaching 1.2 billion, or about a quarter of the total population.

Currently, 40% of elderly people in the Asia-Pacific region lack access to pensions, especially women who are more often engaged in unpaid domestic work. Many are forced to work well past retirement age, with 94% employed in the informal sector without social protections.

Physical and mental health is also a major issue, with 60% of elderly individuals not receiving regular health check-ups, and 31% suffering from depression due to illness, isolation, and economic instability. Elderly women are particularly affected, suffering from conditions like depression, diabetes, and hypertension.

According to the Chief Economist of the Asian Development Bank, Albert Park, ensuring a dignified old age for millions of people requires investment in healthcare, education, and financial readiness for retirement, as well as strengthening family and social connections.

Investing in healthcare systems and measures to prevent chronic diseases can lead to the so-called "silver dividend," where a healthier elderly population remains productive and less dependent on care.

Earlier Kazinform News Agency posted that the global population aged 65 and over had nearly doubled to 10.3%, and this trend is expected to continue.