Overview
ESCAP implemented a project on “Developing tools to increase digital literacy of older persons" from 2023 to 2025. The project aimed to increase the digital literacy of older women and men for enhanced participation in society and improved access to services and benefits.
The target countries were Cambodia, India, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Viet Nam. Good practice countries include China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
The Asia-Pacific region is home to 60 per cent of all older persons in the world. At the same time, digital transformation is reshaping economies, service delivery and social interaction. Yet many older persons – particularly older women, those living in rural areas and individuals with limited education – continue to be digitally excluded. This “grey digital divide” limits their access to essential services, deepens social isolation and undermines opportunities for lifelong learning and intergenerational connection.
To bridge this divide, ESCAP has developed a practical, rights-based digital literacy toolkit tailored to the needs of older persons in diverse community contexts. Grounded in community-level needs assessments and developed with local partners, the toolkit includes a series of short video episodes covering essential digital skills, accompanied by learner and trainer guides and supporting materials. These tools have been pilot-tested with older people’s associations (OPAs) and community facilitators, ensuring that they are gender-sensitive, easy to understand and adaptable to a range of learning environments and literacy levels.
The project is aligned with the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Global Digital Compact adopted as part of the Pact for the Future.
Workshops
Regional Meeting on Enhancing Digital Literacy among Older Persons in Asia and the Pacific – Developing Tools to Increase Digital Literacy of Older Persons
1 to 2 Aug 2024
The regional meeting brought together government officials, civil society organizations, older people’s associations and international experts to discuss levels and trends of population ageing, the linkages between technology and ageing, the digital divide faced by older persons, and national and community-level strategies for enhancing digital literacy. The meeting also reviewed findings from ESCAP’s digital literacy survey and documented good practices from across the region.
Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Population Ageing: Technology and Population Ageing sessions
11 to 12 Sep 2024
ESCAP, in partnership with HelpAge India, was organizing two sessions on technology and population ageing at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Population Ageing. This Conference was co-hosted by HelpAge International, the Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS) of Indonesia and UNFPA, and supported by HelpAge International, ESCAP and the Tsao Foundation. These sessions specifically explored how technological innovations can help reframe and redefine the societal roles of older persons, not just as beneficiaries but as active participants and innovators in the digital realm.
Regional Workshop on Enhancing Digital Literacy for Older Persons – Strengthening Digital Inclusion for All Ages
18 to 20 Nov 2025
This regional workshop introduced and refined the ESCAP digital literacy toolkit, explores national and local strategies for localization and dissemination, and facilitates dialogue on policy linkages across health, education, digital inclusion and intergenerational solidarity.
Publications
Closing the Grey Digital Divide: Boosting Digital Literacy for Older Persons in Asia and the Pacific
11 June 2026
Asia and the Pacific is experiencing two concurrent megatrends: rapid population ageing and accelerating digital transformation. In 2026, the region is home to 530 million people aged 65 years or over, representing 11.0 per cent of the total population. By 2050, the number of older persons is projected to almost double to 996 million, representing 19.4 per cent of the total population. At the same time, digital technologies are transforming the way societies function – from accessing government services and health care to managing finances and maintaining social connections. As more services move online, older persons who lack digital literacy skills risk being left behind. This “grey digital divide” threatens social inclusion, limits access to essential services and deepens existing inequalities.
Bridging the grey digital divide to foster intergenerational relations in Asia and the Pacific
8 May 2025
Analytical article based on survey findings from five target countries, highlighting gender disparities in digital literacy among older persons, barriers faced by older women and the need for gender-responsive digital inclusion strategies. Published in the special issue on demographic change and intergenerational relations.
Learner Guide: Digital Skills for Everyday Life
1 January 2026
A step-by-step companion for older learners, covering all five episodes with practice exercises, tips and reflection activities. Available in multiple languages.
Trainer Guide: Facilitating Digital Skills for All Ages
1 January 2026
A comprehensive resource for trainers, educators and volunteers, including inclusive lesson plans, facilitation tips, gender-sensitive teaching strategies and a final assessment tool. Available in multiple languages.
Report of the Regional Workshop on Enhancing Digital Literacy for Older Persons in Asia and the Pacific - Strengthening Digital Inclusion for All Ages, 2025
1 December 2025
The workshop brought together government focal points on ageing, representatives of older people’s associations, academia, civil society and development partners to advance regional cooperation on digital inclusion of older persons. Participants reviewed lessons learned from piloting ESCAP digital literacy toolkit in selected countries, shared international and national good practices and examined policy strategies to address challenges such as online safety and the enabling digital ecosystem.
Report of the Regional Meeting on Enhancing Digital Literacy among Older Persons in Asia and the Pacific: Developing Tools to Increase Digital Literacy for Older Persons
1 October 2024
The meeting convened stakeholders from governments, civil society organizations, academia and international organizations to share good practices, develop effective training materials and enhance policy frameworks and tools to support digital literacy for older persons.
Videos
As part of the Digital Literacy Toolkit, ESCAP developed a series of short video episodes designed to help older women and men build essential digital skills. Covering topics from smartphone basics to online safety and secure transactions, each episode is available with subtitles in multiple languages and features International Sign Language integration.
Access the full video series and accompanying materials on the Digital Literacy E-learning page.
Migration data in North and Central Asia - issue, impacts and solutions
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
Adding Life to Years – Demographic Change in Asia and the Pacific
Latest News
ESCAP launches survey to member States for the Fifth Asia-Pacific Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing
ESCAP supported the Government of Maldives in the launch of a new policy on ageing
