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Part 1 of 4
I. Introduction
Updated Demographic Information found in the Fourth
Review and Appraisal on the implementation of the IPAA.
Only in the past few decades has the attention
of national societies and the world community been drawn to the social,
economic, political and scientific questions raised by the phenomenon of
ageing on a massive scale. Previously, while individuals may have lived
into advanced stages of life, their numbers and proportion in the total
population were not high. The twentieth century, however, has witnessed
in many regions of the world the control of perinatal and infant
mortality, a decline in birth rates, improvements in nutrition, basic
health care and the control of many infectious diseases. This
combination of factors has resulted in an increasing number and
proportion of persons surviving into the advanced stages of life.
In 1950, according to United Nations estimates, there were
approximately 200 million persons 60 years of age and over throughout
the world. By 1975, their number had increased to 350 million. United
Nations projections to the year 2000 indicate that the number will
increase to 590 million, and by the year 2025 to over 1,100 million;
that is, an increase of 224 per cent since 1975. During this same
period, the world's population as a whole is expected to increase from
4.1 billion to 8.2 billion, an increase of 102 per cent. Thus, 45 years
from now the ageing will constitute 13.7 per cent of the world's
population.
It should be noted, furthermore, that in 1975 slightly over half (52
per cent) of all persons aged 60 and over lived in the developing
countries. By the year 2000Cowing to the differential rates of
increaseCover 60 per cent of all older persons are expected to live in
those countries, and it is anticipated that the proportion will reach
nearly three quarters (72 per cent) by 2025.
The increase in the numbers and proportions of the ageing is
accompanied by a change in the population's age structure. A declining
proportion of children in a population increases the proportion of older
persons. Thus, according to the United Nations projections, the
population aged less than 15 years in the developing regions is expected
to decline from an average of about 41 per cent of the total population
in 1975 to 33 per cent in 2000 and 26 per cent in 2025. In the same
regions, the population of 60 years and over is expected to increase
from 6 per cent in 1975 to 7 per cent in 2000 and to 12 per cent in
2025, thus reaching the level observed in the developed regions in the
1950s. In those latter regions, the population below the age of 15 is
expected to decline from 25 per cent in 1975 to 21 per cent in 2000 and
to 20 per cent in 2025; however, the group aged 60 and over is expected
to increase as a proportion of the total population, from 15 per cent in
1975 to 18 per cent in 2000 and 23 per cent in 2025. It should be noted
that these are averages for vast regions and that considerable
variations exist between countries and at the subnational level.
According to model life tables, increasing life expectancy at birth
could imply an increase in life expectancies at age 60 in the developed
regions of approximately one year between 1975 and 2025. In the
developing regions, the projected increase would be roughly 2.5 years.
Men of the age of 60 could thus expect an average of over 17 years of
further life in the developed regions by 2025 and of over 16 years in
the developing regions. Women could expect about an additional 21 and 18
years, respectively.
It should be noted that, if present trends prevail, the sex ratio
(that is, the number of men per 100 women) will continue to be
unbalanced in the developed regions with, however, a slight improvement.
For instance, this rate, which in 1975 was 74 for the 60-69 age group
will be 78 in 2025, with a rise from 48 to 53 for the over-80 age group.
In the developing regions, this rate will be 94 in 2025 against 96 for
the 60-69 age group, and 73 against 78 for the over-80 age group,
signifying a slight decline. Thus, women, in most cases, will
increasingly constitute a majority of the older population. Gender-based
differences in longevity may have some impact on living arrangements,
income, health care and other support systems.
Another important consideration is the trend in urban-rural
distribution. In the developed regions, two thirds of the aged were in
urban areas in 1975, and this proportion is expected to reach three
quarters by the year 2000. In the developing regions, three quarters of
the aged were to be found in rural areas. Nevertheless, the increase in
the proportion of the ageing in urban areas in these countries could be
considerable and exceed 40 per cent by the year 2000. These changes can
be influenced by migration.
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The demographic trends outlined above will have
significant effects on society. The achievement of sustained development
requires that a proper balance be preserved between social, economic and
environmental factors and changes in population growth distribution and
structure. Countries should recognize and take into account their
demographic trends and changes in the structure of their populations in
order to optimize their development.
For this purpose a substantial financial effort will be needed on the
part of Governments and the international institutions concerned.
Actually however, the economic situation of most of the developing
countries is such that they are unable to release the means and
resources needed for carrying out their development policy
successfully.
In order to enable these countries to deal with the basic needs of
their population, including the elderly, it is necessary to establish a
new economic order based on new international economic relations that
are mutually beneficial and that will make possible a just and equitable
utilization of the available wealth, resources and technology.
The present International
Plan of Action on Ageing deals both with issues affecting the ageing
as individuals and those relating to the ageing of the population.
The humanitarian issues relate to the specific needs of the elderly.
Although the elderly share many problems and needs with the rest of the
population, certain issues reflect the specific characteristics and
requirements of this group. The sub-topics examined are health and
nutrition, housing and environment, the family, social welfare, income
security and employment, and education.
The developmental issues relate to the socio-economic implications of
the ageing of the population, defined as an increase in the proportion
of the ageing in the total population. Under this heading are
considered, inter alia, the effects of the ageing of the population on
production, consumption, savings, investment andCin turnCgeneral social
and economic conditions and policies, especially at times when the
dependency rate of the ageing is on the increase.
These humanitarian and developmental issues are examined with a view
to the formulation of action programmes at the national, regional and
international levels.
In some developing countries, the trend towards a gradual ageing of
the society has not yet become prominent and may not, therefore, attract
the full attention of planners and policy makers who take account of the
problems of the aged in their overall economic and social development
planning and action to satisfy the basic needs of the population as a
whole. As outlined in the preceding section, however, United Nations
projections show that:
- A marked increase in the population over the age of 60 years is
expected in the future, particularly in the segment of those aged 80
years and over;
- In many countries, the increase in the proportion of the over-60
population is expected to become apparent over the next few decades,
and especially during the first quarter of the twenty-first century;
and
- Increasingly women will constitute the majority of these elderly
populations.
The issue of the ageing of populations, with its vast implications
both for overall development at the national level and for the welfare
and safety of older individuals, is therefore one which will concern all
countries in the relatively near future; it already affects some of the
more developed regions of the world.
The measures for the optimum utilization of the wisdom and expertise
of elderly individuals will be considered.
The human race is characterized by a long childhood and by a long old
age. Throughout history this has enabled older persons to educate the
younger and pass on values to them; this role has ensured man's survival
and progress. The presence of the elderly in the family home, the
neighbourhood and in all forms of social life still teaches an
irreplaceable lesson of humanity. Not only by his life, but indeed by
his death, the older person teaches us all a lesson. Through grief the
survivors come to understand that the dead do continue to participate in
the human community, by the results of their labour, the works and
institutions they leave behind them, and the memory of their words and
deeds. This may encourage us to regard our own death with greater
serenity and to grow more fully aware of the responsibilities toward
future generations.
A longer life provides humans with an opportunity to examine their
lives in retrospect, to correct some of their mistakes, to get closer to
the truth and to achieve a different understanding of the sense and
value of their actions. This may well be the more important contribution
of older people to the human community. Especially at this time, after
the unprecedented changes that have affected humankind in their
lifetime, the reinterpretation of life-stories by the aged should help
us all to achieve the urgently needed reorientation of
history.
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