Population ageing is a result of successful economic and social development
Population ageing is a result of successful economic and social development. The Asia-Pacific region is ageing at an unprecedented pace. Older persons, defined as those aged 60 years or over, amounted to 722 million in 2024 and accounted for 15.1 per cent of the total population. By 2050, 25.9 per cent of the total population are projected to be 60 years or over. Older women outnumber older men due to their higher life
expectancy, with 54 per cent of the older population being women.
Older women and men actively contribute to economies and societies through paid and unpaid work, including care. Yet, older persons are at higher risk of falling into poverty and often lack access to adequate resources and services.
Promoting the socioeconomic participation of older persons and strengthening their social protection, as well as promoting women’s economic participation throughout the life course, will contribute to sustainable and inclusive development in ageing societies.
The Asia-Pacific Report on Population Ageing 2022 provides an overview of trends, policies and good practices regarding older persons and population ageing from the region.
Data for ageing
To address the challenges and harness the opportunities of population ageing, we need forward-looking policies informed by evidence.
To design such policies, we need high-quality, timely, comparable and reliable data.
Mandates
The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the Political Declaration adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing in April 2002 marked a turning point in how the world addresses the key challenges and opportunities of “building a society for all ages”.
Since 2002, regular reviews and appraisals of the Madrid International Plan of Action have taken place at regional and global levels. At the Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Meeting on the Fourth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, ESCAP members and associate members adopted the outcome document Accelerating Implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002, to Build a Sustainable Society for All Ages in Asia and the Pacific.
General Assembly resolution 79/147 recommends that Member States reaffirm the roles of focal points within the United Nations system, increase technical cooperation efforts, consider expanding the role of the regional commissions on ageing issues and continue to provide resources for those efforts. They also call to facilitate the coordination of national and international non-governmental organizations on ageing and enhance cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, to promote ageing issues and develop partnerships in this regard.
Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA)
The 2002 Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) marked a turning point in how the world addresses the key challenge of “building a society for all ages”, offering a new agenda and action plan for addressing population ageing in the 21st century.
Since the adoption of the MIPAA by the General Assembly in 2002, the international community has increasingly paid attention to the situation of older persons. There is also a growing recognition by member States, international organizations and stakeholders of the importance of policies and legal frameworks that safeguard and recognize the fundamental rights of older persons to live dignified, independent and healthy lives.
Progress in implementation of MIPAA is reviewed regularly at global and regional levels. ESCAP conducts periodic reviews in Asia and the Pacific.
Videos
Asia-Pacific Regional Review & Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2022
This video highlights the importance of the Asia-Pacific Regional Review & Appraisal, which is key for ensuring the successful implementation of policies under the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. The review identifies issues, informs the global review and promotes policy dialogue. It supports future action to build inclusive societies for all ages.
Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing – MIPAA
The Asia-Pacific region is rapidly ageing, the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA, 2002), aims to address the demographic shift by championing key policies on older persons. Its overarching goal is to enhance the quality of life of older persons by promoting inclusive policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Data for ageing
Data collection provides the basis for informed, evidence-based policy making on ageing. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development called for the collection, analysis and dissemination of timely, comparable and reliable sex and age disaggregated data. These frameworks for data collection will ensure that no one is left behind.
Older persons and the future of work
Population ageing presents significant economic and labour force challenges. Key priorities include policy incentives, addressing the labour rights of older persons, life-long skills development and digital inclusion. The joint ESCAP-Republic of Korea project aimed to take a whole-of-society approach to develop good practices, to support inclusive futures for all.
Unpaid care work
Unpaid care work sustains and is key for societal development. Women, children and especially older women lack support and recognition for their contributions to the care economy. The provision of public services, promotion of social protection policies and cultural development must target this area to ensure the care economy is not invisible and unpaid work is valued.
How to build inclusive old age pension systems
Old age pension schemes provide vital sources of support for older persons and support households to invest in key areas. The six key objectives outlined in this video provide the framework for the formation and delivery of an effective, comprehensive old age pension scheme that will improve social protection for older persons across the Asia-Pacific region.
Strengthening older persons’ labour force participation in Thailand
Improving older persons labour force participation is central to inclusive development and can be achieved through enhanced education, training and employment opportunities. Older persons can contribute to the Thai economy through the use and sharing of their invaluable skills and knowledge to support intergenerational solidarity across the Thai labour market.
Events
Fifth Asia-Pacific Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing: Briefings of focal points on ageing in North and Central Asia
Blogs and Op-eds
Building a future-ready society so people can live long and age well
Strengthening social health protection for health coverage for all ages
