Latest Publications

Population Ageing and Development

State of World Population 1998

Situations and Voices

Web Links

World Health Organization: Ageing

International Institute on Ageing

linking Population, Poverty and Development

Population Ageing: A Larger and Older Population

The world's population is not only growing larger, it is also becoming older. Population ageing is an inevitable consequence of fertility decline, especially if it is combined with increases in life expectancy. The proportion of older persons is increasing at a faster rate than any other age segment. In developed countries, the proportion of older people already exceeds that of children. In developing countries, proportion of older people is increasing rapidly due to the faster pace of fertility decline that has resulted from the success of reproductive health and family planning programmes.

According to the UN Population Division, during the next 45 years, the number of persons in the world aged 60 years or older is expected to almost triple, increasing from 672 million people in 2005 to nearly 1.9 billion by 2050. Today 60 per cent of older persons live in developing countries; by 2050, that proportion will increase to 80 per cent.

In developed countries, one fifth of the population is 60 years or older; by 2050, that proportion is expected to rise to almost a third, and there will be two elderly persons for every child. In developing countries, the proportion of the older population is expected to rise from 10 per cent in 2005 to close to 20 per cent by 2050.

There will be an even more notable increase in the number of 'oldest-old' people, those who are 80 years old or over, from 86 million in 2005 to 394 million in 2050. By 2050, most oldest-old people will live in the developing world. In almost all societies, women represent the largest number and proportion of older people.

A key indicator of population ageing is the median age (the age at which 50 per cent of the population is older and 50 per cent younger). Today, just 11 developed countries have a median age of over 40. But by 2050, 90 countries will fall into that group, 46 of them in the developing world.

Policy guidelines on ageing

Effectively responding to older persons needs, expectations and rights includes:

  • Focus on the older poor, in development and poverty-reduction strategies
  • Examine the economic, social and cultural implications of population and demographic changes, and how they relate to development concerns
  • Promote and implement adequate policies and programmes for active ageing, including life-long education and training, and the full participation of older persons in community life
  • Recognize and support the care-giving services provided by grandparents, especially women, to grandchildren orphaned by AIDS
  • Eliminate discrimination, financial, psychological and physical abuse and other crimes against older persons, especially women, including intergenerational violence
  • Promote intergenerational solidarity with the goal of maintaining and improving social cohesion

UNFPA at work

In the area of population ageing, UNFPA aims to influence public policy and promote policy dialogue to respond to the challenges posed by the social, health and economic consequences of population ageing and to meet the needs of older persons, with particular emphasis on the poor, especially women.

The Fund supports training of policymakers and programme planners, assists countries to develop quality data on the number and characteristics of older people and supports research on the social and economic impact of population ageing. UNFPA works in partnership with the UN system and international and national non-governmental organizations.

UNFPA collaborates with the World Health Organization on a study of the policy implications of the health of women aged 50 and over. The report will target primarily policymakers and will contain recommendations that can be used to promote equity and equality for women throughout their lives, prevent marginalization at older ages and ensure that older women remain active contributors to development.

 

The International Institute on Ageing, United Nations, Malta

The International Institute on Ageing, United Nations Malta (INIA) was established in 1988 by the United Nations and the Government of Malta to provide multidisciplinary education and training for personnel in developing countries on specific areas related to ageing. UNFPA works in close partnership with INIA and financially supports its training programmes. To date, INIA has trained around 3,000 participants from over 125 countries. INIA organizes four annual core courses on Social Gerontology, Economic and Financial Aspects of Ageing, Geriatrics, and Demographic Aspects of Population Ageing, as well as a nine-month Diploma Course and a Masters Degree Course in Gerontology and Geriatric. INIA also is developing Internet-based distance learning programmes in developing countries in collaboration with the University of Malta. Since 1995, it has conducted on-site training programmes in countries around the world, tailored to their specific needs.

Related Links