Gender inequalities persist into old age; women’s lower levels of formal labour market participation, shorter working lives & lower wages lead to more economic insecurity in later life
The rights and well-being of older people must be at the centre of collective efforts to achieve a sustainable future. Photo: iStock. The number of persons aged 65 years or older worldwide is expected to double over the next three decades, according to a new report by the United Nations (UN). The elderly population will reach 1.6 billion in 2050, accounting for more than 16 per cent of the global population.
This demographic shift brings into question current arrangements of old-age support in young and old countries, World Social Report 2023: Leaving no one behind in an ageing world, released by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs highlighted.
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Effective systems of old-age support will continue to be needed. Not everyone has benefitted to the same extent from the social and economic improvements that drive longevity, the document added.
The rights and well-being of older people must be at the centre of collective efforts to achieve a sustainable future.
North Africa, West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are expected to experience the fastest growth in the number of older people over the next three decades, while Europe and North America combined now have the highest share of older persons.
In countries with available data, the number of years lived in good health has climbed, accounting for most of the increase in years lived overall.
In almost all societies, women live longer than men on average and the rich longer than the poor. These differences stem partly from poor nutrition and exposure to environmental and occupational hazards that are more common among men and people with limited income and education.
Inequalities between men and women persist into old age. Economically, women’s lower levels of formal labour market participation, shorter working lives and lower wages during working years lead to more economic insecurity in later life.
In more developed regions, public transfer systems, including pensions and health care, provide over two-thirds of the consumption by older persons. In less developed regions, older persons tend to work longer and rely more on accumulated assets or family assistance.
Li Junhua, UN under-secretary-general for Economic and Social Affairs, said:
Together, we can address today’s inequalities for the benefit of tomorrow’s generations, managing the challenges and capitalising on the opportunities that population ageing brings.
The World Health Organization and the UN have designated 2021-2030 as the Decade of Healthy Aging, building on the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The demand for long-term care is soaring in many countries as the population of older persons grows larger, especially at ages 80 and above. Public spending in most countries has not been sufficient to cover the growing demand for long-term care.
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The report recommended that countries rethink long-held policies and practices associated with livelihoods and work. Many governments are already introducing opportunities for life-long learning, as well as strengthening and taking full advantage of intergenerational workforces.
They are also introducing flexible retirement ages to accommodate a broad range of personal situations and preferences.
The report highlighted two sets of actions to make societies accommodative of people of all ages. The first set can be employed throughout people’s lifetimes to promote labour market participation, increase productivity, uphold good health and prevent poverty.
The second set consists of policies to reduce inequality and promote economic security at older ages in a fiscally sustainable manner, considering pensions and health care.
While many older persons are in excellent health or economically active stages, others live with ailments or are in poverty. Public spending in most countries has not been sufficient to cover the growing demand for long-term care, the analysis pointed out.
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