Economic and Social Development
Conclusions and recommendations
Population ageing affects all the world’s countries but its scope and pace in Asia and the Pacific is globally unprecedented including the sheer number of older persons who reside in the region. At the same time the region is markedly diverse. It is home to rising economic and geopolitical powerhouses and some of the world’s least developed countries. While some countries in the region are at the leading edge of technological changes with global ramifications significant divides exist and large segments of the region’s population continue to experience inequalities of wealth income and opportunity. Moreover people in the region live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change and to increasingly frequent intense and unpredictable natural disasters affecting health and care systems livelihoods urban development and housing and rural areas. Although population ageing is a human success story the result of improved public health and medical advancements and overall social and economic development it also presents challenges that are exacerbated when it occurs rapidly and affects such large numbers of people.
Population ageing: Levels and trends
In 2022 one in seven people in Asia and the Pacific are 60 years or older or 670 million people. By 2050 the number of older persons is projected to have doubled reaching 1.3 billion or one in four people. Older women account for 54 per cent of all older persons and given their longer life expectancy their share increases with age.
Foreword
In 2022 one in seven people are aged 60 years or older in Asia and the Pacific. By 2050 one in four people are projected to belong to this age group. Thus the share and the number of older persons in the region is growing very fast and compared to other world regions at an unprecedented pace. Although population ageing is a human success story – the result of improved public health and medical advancements and overall socioeconomic development – it also presents challenges that are exacerbated when it occurs rapidly and affects a large number of people.
Outcome document of the Asia-Pacific intergovernmental meeting on the fourth review and appraisal of the Madrid international plan of action on ageing (29 June – 1 July 2022)
We the representatives of members and associate members of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific assembled at the Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Meeting on the Fourth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing held in Bangkok and online from 29 June to 1 July 2022
Asia-Pacific Report on Population Ageing 2022
Trends, Policies and Good Practices Regarding Older Persons and Population Ageing
The Asia-Pacific Report on Population Ageing 2022 is unique as it combines the latest research and statistical evidence on the levels and trends in population ageing mostly taken from the World Population Prospects 2022 and other publicly available global datasets with an assessment by governments and stakeholders of the situation of older persons and relevant policies and programmes. The report is structured along the three priority directions of MIPAA: (a) older persons and development; (b) advancing health and well-being into old age; and (c) ensuring enabling and supportive environments. Moreover there is a chapter on data and research and the final chapter contains conclusions and recommendations. Gender considerations and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on older persons are mainstreamed throughout the report. Issues concerning the nexus between older persons and the effects of climate change and disasters are also addressed.
Older persons and development
Older persons are beneficiaries of development and contribute to it. In this context the first priority direction of the Madrid Plan of Action discusses interlinkages between the two. It calls for providing older persons with opportunities to continue contributing to society; offering income-generating work; providing opportunities for accessing knowledge education and training; eradicating poverty among older persons in particular older women and persons with disabilities; and supporting intergenerational solidarity to build societies for all ages.
Executive summary
In 2022 670 million people aged 60 years or older reside in Asia and the Pacific roughly one in every seven people. It is projected that by 2050 that number will have doubled to 1.3 billion or one in four people. Older women account for 54 per cent of Asia and the Pacific’s older persons and given their longer life expectancy that share increases with age. Compared with other regions of the world population ageing in Asia and the Pacific is very rapid the result of drastic declines in fertility and mortality and increased life expectancy. Given the sheer number of older persons what happens to them in the region will shape trends at the global level. Moreover because population ageing is occurring so quickly countries in the region have little time to address its challenges and opportunities.
Introduction
Population ageing is a global and regional megatrend1 and Asia and the Pacific is experiencing this at an unprecedented pace. In 2022 61 per cent of the world’s older persons2 were residing in the region or some 672 million people aged 60 years or over. By 2050 26 per cent of the Asia-Pacific region is projected to be comprised of older persons some 1.3 billion people representing 63 per cent of the global total. Population ageing presents challenges and opportunities to older persons and their families and it affects all aspects of societies. It is an important multidimensional reality of major relevance for sustainable development.
Older persons, health and well-being
The second priority direction of the Madrid Plan of Action discusses good health as an individual asset and as an important component for economic growth and development of societies. Initiatives that meet the comprehensive health and long-term care needs of older persons in a rapidly ageing population are critical. The priority direction focuses on health promotion and wellbeing throughout life; universal and equal access to health-care services; training of care providers and health professionals; and mental health needs of older persons and older persons with disabilities.
Ensuring enabling and supportive environments
The third priority direction of the Madrid Plan of Action discusses framework conditions that are needed to create inclusive cohesive societies for persons of all ages. These cover but are not limited to participatory transparent and accountable political frameworks; recognition of the universal indivisible interdependent and interrelated nature of all human rights; age-friendly physical and social environments including age-friendly cities and support to caregivers; aspects related to climate change and emergencies; public recognition of older persons; issues related to ageing with dignity and risks of neglect abuse and violence against older persons; and information innovation and communication which affect older persons’ lives.
Acknowledgements
The publication was prepared by the Social Development Division of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) under the overall direction and guidance of Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP.
Data and research
The Madrid Plan of Action calls for comprehensive diversified and specialized research on population ageing including age- and gender-sensitive data collection and analysis which provides the evidence for effective policies.