The world is ageing
- Ageing is a triumph of
our times – a product of improved public health, sanitation and development.
Yet over 100 million older people live on less than a dollar a day.
- In 1950, 8 out of every
100 people were over 60. By 2050, 22 out of every 100 people will be over
60.
- At best, older people
live on between one-third to a half of average incomes.
- The increasing share
of older people in the world’s population results from a combination
of hugely increased life expectancy and reduced fertility. Total fertility
is expected to decline from 2.82 children per woman in 1995-2000 to 2.15 children
per woman in 2045-2050. Life expectancy worldwide is expected to increase
by 11 years, from 65 in 1995-2000 to 76 in 2045-2050, despite the impact of
HIV/AIDS.
Most of the world’s older
people live in developing countries
- Even in the poorest countries,
life expectancy is increasing and the number of older people is growing. In
2000, there were 374 million people over 60 in developing countries –
62% of the world’s older people. In 2015, there will be 597 million older
people in developing countries – 67% of the world’s older people.
- In 2005, one in twelve
people in developing countries is over 60. By 2015, one in ten people in developing
countries will be over 60 and, by 2050, one in five people in developing countries
will be over 60.
- In every region, the
rate of population increase for the 65-and-over age group is higher than for
the under-14 age group and the 15-64 age group.
Many older people in developing
countries live in poverty
- 80% of older people in
developing countries have no regular income.
- Poverty rates in households
with older people are up to 29% higher than in households without older people.
- Lack of food is a serious
cause of ill health in older people.
- Older widows are among
the poorest and most vulnerable groups in developing countries.
Older women outnumber older
men
- In 2005, there are 83
men for every 100 women over 60 worldwide.
- In developing countries,
the gap is less wide: there are 91 men for every 100 women over 60. However,
this gap is increasing – by 2015, there will be 89 men for every 100
women and, by 2030, 86 men for every 100 women.
Older people care for people
with HIV/AIDS and orphans
- Older people are the
primary carers for orphaned and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS and
those living with HIV/AIDS.
Source : http://www.helpage.org
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