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UN Says Asia Pacific to Home World's Largest Aging Population in 50 Years

Posted on: Tuesday, 26 April 2005, 09:00 CDT

UN says Asia Pacific to home world's largest aging population in 50 years

BANGKOK, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Asia Pacific countries already with a large number of aged people will home almost two thirds of the world's aging population of over 60 years old in 50 years, predicted the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

"By 2050, Asia and the Pacific will be home to over 1.2 billion people aged over 60 years, ... and this will account for 63 percent of the world total," said an annual economic and social survey released by ESCAP in Bangkok on Monday.

In 2000, about 9.4 percent of the total population of the region were people above 60 years old, Kim Hak-Su, ESCAP executive secretary, told reporters when launching the survey.

"In the next 50 years, the share of population over 60 years of age is bound to increase more than doubling to an estimated 23.5 percent of the total," he said.

Four countries in the region, namely, Japan, China, India and Indonesia, accounted for 71.6 percent of the region's elderly people and for 41.5 percent of the total older population in the world in 2000.

In 2050, people aged over 60 years will account for more than 20 percent of the total population in the four countries, with Japan having a high 42.3 percent share, China 30 percent, Indonesia 22.3 percent and India 20.6 percent.

Besides, the older people are aging faster.

"The share of people over 80 years in the region is expected to increase from 51.7 percent of the world total to 61.5 percent by 2050," said Kim.

The fast growth of aging population is expected to increase pressure on economies, in terms of impacts on labor markets, public pension systems and health care services.

Kim therefore called on reforms in education, training and human resources development for internationally marketable labor force and regional cooperation on human migration so as to fully explore available labor force.

Local governments were also urged to improve their social security system and more old people caring alternatives to face the challenge.

Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS

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