Dramatic shift towards old age

The report "Ageing in the Twenty-First Century," published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the non-governmental organisation HelpAge International on Monday to coincide with International Day of Older Persons, warns of a dramatic shift and strains on welfare and medical services.

It states that rising life expectancies will accelerate senior citizen numbers faster than any other statistical age group in the make-up of populations.

In the next ten years, it predicts, the number of elderly people worldwide will swell by 200 million taking the count beyond one billion people.

The report predicts that by 2050 senior persons 60 years and over will make up more than 80 percent of the population in developing countries. Currently, two out of three senior persons live in poorer, developing countries.

And, by 2050, the report says, there will be more people over the age of sixty than under the age of 15.

The report's authors urge developing countries to make preparations.

"The challenge is that governments have not put policies and practices in place to support their current older populations or made enough preparations for 2050,"

The authors also call for investments to protect older people. But they also warn not to let the skills and knowledge go to waste.

"Global and national action plans are needed to create a pathway so people over 60 become growth drivers and value creators," said Richard Blewitt, chief executive officer of HelpAge International.

While Japan is still the country that is aging the fastest, with a quarter of the population already over the age of 65, experts expect this trend to change.

Many vulnerable

The report finds that many elderly are unemployed, vulnerable to discrimination, abuse and violence.

"People everywhere must age with dignity and security, enjoying ife through the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms," said UNFPA executive director Babatunde Osotimehin.

rg/ipj (AFP, dpa)