..Press Release................................ UNESCAP News Services

Date 6 September 2004
Press Release No: G/18/2004

OLD AGE CHALLENGE IN REGION

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) -- Over the past decade, South-East Asia has witnessed a notable increase in the expectation of life at birth, from 56 to 67 years, and a remarkable decline in fertility, from 4 children per woman to 2.4, said Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of the United nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). “Those demographic dynamics have brought about profound challenges to the region with major social, economic and societal implications. One of the most important emerging policy challenges is to provide social protection, particularly, income security for older persons”, he said.

In preparing for population ageing, there is a pressing need to expand the coverage of pension systems among both formal and informal sector workers. While recognizing that the best preparation for old age is a productive working life, government policies in the region should be strengthened considerably to promote productive employment, with provision for health care and health insurance.

In Asia, although the family systems continue to provide support and care for their older members, they may not be sustainable owing to the increasing rural-to-urban and international migration of young adults. Population ageing is also a gender issue, as women constantly outnumber men in older ages. Many women are less equipped for old age because they are less educated and less likely to be in a productive employment.

”Promoting productive employment, ensuring income security and mainstreaming gender concerns are three essential steps that governments should urgently take to adequately prepare for the rapid population ageing,” said Mr. Kim.

Mr. Kim Hak-Su was speaking at the Seventh International Federation on Ageing Global Conference in Singapore from 4 to 7 September 2004. Under the theme “Global Ageing: Sustaining Development”, the Global Conference is a forum for debates on ageing issues, an opportunity for consumers, practitioners and policymakers in the field of ageing to exchange knowledge and information, as well as establish and strengthen friendships and partnerships.

This forum is an important occasion to also learn about the impact of ageing policies and programmes since the United Nations Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002 and finalization of Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. Models of leading practice will also be highlighted.

The 3-day Conference Is being organized by the International Federation on Ageing and hosted by the Government of Singapore and the Singapore Action Group of Elders.

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