E c o n o m i c & S o c i a l A f a i r s A S o c i a l 2017 World asdf Population United Nations Ageing [highlights] ST/ESA/SER.A/397 Department of Economic and Social Affairs World Population Ageing 2017 Highlights asdf United Nations New York, 2017 The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat is a vital interface between global policies in the economic, social and environmental spheres and national action. The Department works in three main interlinked areas: (i) it compiles, generates and analyses a wide range of economic, social and environmental data and information on which States Members of the United Nations draw to review common problems and take stock of policy options; (ii) it facilitates the negotiations of Member States in many intergovernmental bodies on joint courses of action to address ongoing or emerging global challenges; and (iii) it advises interested Governments on the ways and means of translating policy frameworks devel- oped in United Nations conferences and summits into programmes at the country level and, through techni- cal assistance, helps build national capacities. The Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs provides the international community with timely and accessible population data and analysis of population trends and development outcomes for all countries and areas of the world. To this end, the Division undertakes regular studies of population size and characteristics and of all three components of population change (fertility, mortality and migration). Founded in 1946, the Population Division provides substantive support on population and development issues to the United Nations General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Com- mission on Population and Development. It also leads or participates in various interagency coordination mechanisms of the United Nations system. The work of the Division also contributes to strengthening the capacity of Member States to monitor population trends and to address current and emerging population issues. Notes The designations employed in this report and the material presented in it do not imply the expression of any opinions whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or bounda- ries. This report is available in electronic format on the Division’s website at www.unpopulation.org. For further information about this report, please contact the Office of the Director, Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations, New York, 10017, USA, by Fax: 1 212 963 2147 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Suggested citation: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2017). World Population Ageing 2017 - Highlights (ST/ESA/SER.A/397). Official symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with numbers, as illustrated in the above citation. This publication has been issued without formal editing. Front cover photo: “Dancing elderly couple” by Dennis van Zuijlekom, 2015 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dvanzuijlekom/19943090382/), used under CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped from original Back cover photo: “Untitled” by Lindsay Maizland, 2013 (http:///www.flickr.com/photos/lindsaymaizland/9635191027/) used under CC BY 2.0, cropped from original Published by the United Nations Sales No. E.17.XIII.3 ISBN 978-92-1-151551-0 Copyright © United Nations, 2017 All rights reserved 1 Key trends in population ageing and the living arrangements of older persons • The global population aged 60 years or over America and the Caribbean, 24 per cent in Asia, numbered 962 million in 2017, more than twice 23 per cent in Oceania and 9 per cent in Africa. as large as in 1980 when there were 382 million • Across 143 countries or areas with available older persons worldwide. The number of older data, the proportion of persons aged 60 or persons is expected to double again by 2050, over who live “independently” —alone or with when it is projected to reach nearly 2.1 billion. a spouse only—varied widely, ranging from a low of 2.3 per cent in Afghanistan to a high of • In 2030, older persons are expected to outnum- 93.4 per cent in the Netherlands. ber children under age 10 (1.41 billion versus 1.35 billion); in 2050, projections indicate that • In Asia, in Africa and in Latin America and the there will be more older persons aged 60 or Caribbean, well over half of persons aged 60 or over than adolescents and youth at ages 10-24 over co-resided with a child circa 2010; by con- (2.1 billion versus 2.0 billion). trast, in Europe and in Northern America only around 20 per cent of older persons co-resided • Globally, the number of persons aged 80 years with their children. or over is projected to increase more than threefold between 2017 and 2050, rising from • In general, older women are more likely than 137 million to 425 million. older men to live alone. Both in Africa and in Europe, older women were more than twice • Two thirds of the world’s older persons live in as likely as their male counterparts to be living the developing regions, where their numbers alone. are growing faster than in the developed re- gions. In 2050, it is expected that nearly 8 in 10 • Data for 67 countries indicate that older per- of the world’s older persons will be living in the sons have become more likely in recent dec- developing regions. ades to live independently (around 37 per cent circa 2010 compared to 24 per cent circa 1990), • Population ageing—the inevitable increase in whereas co-residence with children has be- the share of older persons that results from the come less common (53 per cent circa 2010 com- decline in fertility and improvement in survival pared to 65 per cent circa 1990). that characterize the demographic transition— is occurring throughout the world. Each of the • As the average age of populations continues 201 countries or areas with at least 90,000 in- to rise, Governments should implement poli- habitants in 2017 is projected to see an increase cies to address the needs and interests of older in the proportion of persons aged 60 or over persons, including those related to housing, between 2017 and 2050. employment, health care, social protection, and other forms of intergenerational solidarity. • Although the process of population ageing By anticipating this demographic shift, coun- is most advanced in Europe and in Northern tries can proactively enact policies to adapt to America, where more than one person in five an ageing population, which will be essential was aged 60 or over in 2017, the populations to fulfil the pledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sus- of other regions are growing older as well. In tainable Development that “no one will be left 2050, older persons are expected to account for behind”. 35 per cent of the population in Europe, 28 per cent in Northern America, 25 per cent in Latin 2 World Population Ageing 2017: Highlights Population ageing and sustainable development The world’s population is ageing: older persons are increasing in number and make up a growing share of the population in virtually every country, with implications for nearly all sectors of society, including labour and financial markets, the demand for goods and services such as housing, trans- portation and social protection, as well as family structures and inter-generational ties. Preparing for the economic and social shifts associated with an ageing population is thus essential to fulfil the pledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that “no one will be left behind”. Trends in population ageing are particularly relevant for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to poverty eradication, the promotion of health, gender equality, employment and sustainable human settlements, as well as those on reducing inequality within and across countries and promoting peaceful and inclusive societies. The 2002 Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), adopted during the Second World Assembly on Ageing, recognized the many benefits of greater longevity to individuals, fami- lies and society. Families benefit from the contributions of older generations through their financial support, assistance with household maintenance, or participation in childcare. Societies benefit also from the experience of older persons and from their contributions to the labour force, as well as from their volunteerism, philanthropy and civic engagement. MIPAA also highlighted the need to consider older persons in development planning, emphasizing that older persons should be able to participate in and benefit equitably from the fruits of development to advance their health and well- being, and that societies should provide enabling environments for them to do so. As populations grow older, it is more important than ever that Governments design innovative policies and public services specifically targeted to older persons, including policies addressing housing, employment, health care, infrastructure and social protection, among others. The growing sense of urgency associated with the challenges and opportunities posed by population ageing is evident in the recent proliferation of ageing-related policy initiatives across a wide range of sectors (United Nations, 2015). For example, many Governments are seeking to increase the coverage and improve the benefits provided through pension systems, with close attention to gender equity and long-term fiscal sustainability. Some Governments are seeking to increase the statutory retire- ment ages, eliminate age barriers in the formal labour market and promote the recruitment of, and flexible employment opportunities for, older workers. Investments in education and life-long learning opportunities, including for older persons, are increasingly recognized as beneficial in helping people to acquire the skills they need to remain active in a changing labour market and to maintain cognitive function, as well as physical and mental health, into old age.