A UN report released yesterday, 2 October 2012, has revealed that the world population of over 60-year-olds will reach one billion within a decade.
The report calls for urgent action by governments to deal with the needs of the "Greying Generation".
Titled Ageing in the 21st Century: A Celebration and a Challenge and compiled by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the report also reveals that 80% of the world's older people will live in developing countries by 2050.
"While the trend of ageing societies is a cause for celebration, it also presents huge challenges as it requires completely new approaches to healthcare, retirement, living arrangements and intergenerational relations," UNFPA executive director Babatunde Osotimehin said.
Osotimehin pointed out that that by 2050, the older generation would be larger than the under-15 population.
Today two out of three people aged 60 or over live in developing and emerging economies. By 2050, this will rise to nearly four in five.
Osotimehin said: "In many developing countries with large populations of young people, for example, 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.
"People everywhere must age with dignity and security, enjoying life through the full realisation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms."
HelpAge International chief executive officer Richard Blewitt said to deal with the challenge governments must ensure that age investment began at birth and recognise that the vast majority of people would live into old age.
Blewitt said: "Social protection and age-friendly healthcare are essential to extend the independence of healthy older people and prevent impoverishment in old age.
"These actions," he added, should be based on a long-term vision and supported by a strong political commitment and a secured budget."
Source: Sowetan
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