UN: World must learn to cope with ageing
October 2nd 2012
Governments around the world must work out how to cope with ageing, a UN report said on Monday, warning that developing nations with lots of young workers may one day find their elderly populations a burden.
The study by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and HelpAge International also urged countries to improve medical provision to extend the years of health that older people can enjoy.
The report, which was released to coincide with the International Day of Older Persons, estimates one in nine people around the world are older than 60, accounting for some 810 million of the seven billion global population.
The size of the elderly population is expected to swell by 200 million in a decade to go beyond one billion people and soar to two billion by 2050, the report said.
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“Countries must address their ageing mismanagement, and put in place strong laws and associated plans and budgets,” said Richard Blewitt, chief executive officer of HelpAge International.
He called for wider use of basic social programmes, including affordable medical care for elders, as well as the abolition of a mandatory retirement age.
Read the entire article: Agence France-Presse
Read the UN report: Ageing in the 21st century
More on this issue: Ageing
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