Good practices repository

Knowledge - Repository - Good Practices

Database of good practices on ageing

Database

This database showcases good practices from countries and territories in Asia and the Pacific for implementing the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA). Select and filter by categories and sub-categories, country, type of instrument.

 

Total: 319 good practice(s).

Act on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons
What was implemented?

Japan amended the Act on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons, effective April 1, 2021, to address rapid population aging and labor shortages. The amendment requires employers to make "best efforts" to secure employment opportunities for workers up to age 70. Employers can choose from several measures: raising or abolishing the retirement age; introducing a continuous employment system to age 70, or offering non‑employment options such as outsourcing arrangements or participation in employer‑funded social contribution activities. Non‑employment measures require consent from a majority labor union or employee representative. Employers may set eligibility standards, but they must be non‑discriminatory and negotiated with employees. 
Who were the beneficiaries?

Older persons between 65 and 70 years of age who choose to continue to be in employed labour
What were the results?

As a result of the act, more companied implemented measures to enable older persons to work. 
How was it developed and implemented?

The act builds on earlier amendments of the law. It builds on guidelines from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and was shaped by consultations with trade unions. 
What makes it a ‘good practice’?

In line with the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) it addresses aged-based discrimination and creates employment for older persons. It also enhances the pool of labour for the private sector. 
Supporting documents:

Over 30% of Companies Secure Jobs for Employees until the Age of 70: MHLW's 2024 Report on the Employment Condition of Elderly Persons, Japan Labor Issues Volume 9 Number 53, Summer 2025

A Society Where People Can Work Even at Age 70 - Japan Policy Forum
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Who implemented it?
Government, Private sector
Implementing/responsible entity:
Act by Government, private sector to implement
Categories:
Discrimination, neglect, abuse (Anti-discrimination); Work, the labour force, poverty and social protection (Employment and re-employment)
Country:
Japan
Type of instrument:
Law or act
Year of implementation:
2021
Act on the establishment of the National Council of Older Persons in Fiji (NCOP)
What was implemented?

The NCOP was established to strengthen the partnership and collaboration between the Government, families, community-based organizations, traditional village communities, non-governmental organizations and the private sector to create an inclusive and supportive environment for older persons. The NCOP advises the Government on all aspects on ageing and the welfare of  older persons. It represents the rights and intersts of older persons in Fiji at all levels. It assists in the development and implementation of the national policy on older persons.
Who were the beneficiaries?

The main beneficiaries are older women and men in Fiji who benefit from consultation and influence on decisions that impact older persons. 
What were the results?

The Government allocates a part of its budget to the NCOP. Through the budget the NCOP funded research on older persons and funds government-run care homes and senior facilities. 
How was it developed and implemented?

The decree was developed through a policy-to-legislation process driven by Fiji’s commitment to implement its National Ageing Policy (2011–2015) and international frameworks like the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA). The National Ageing Policy identified the need for a statutory body to coordinate ageing-related programs and protect older persons’ rights. Inputs were gathered from government ministries, civil society organizations, faith-based groups, and community representatives to define roles and responsibilities. The then Ministry of Social Welfare (later Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection) worked with legal experts to draft the decree, ensuring compliance with Fiji’s Constitution and human rights obligations.
What makes it a ‘good practice’?

It is directly related to the implementation of MIPAA and ensures the political participation and consultation of older persons themselves. 
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Who implemented it?
Government
Implementing/responsible entity:
Ministry responsible for social welfare in Fiji
Categories:
Older persons and development (Participation of older persons, Rights of older persons)
Country:
Fiji
Type of instrument:
Law or act
Year of implementation:
2012
Act to establish a senior council and a senior citizen fund in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
What was implemented?

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Citizens Act, 2014 establishes a legal framework to ensure the welfare, dignity, and protection of residents aged 60 and above. It creates the Senior Citizens Welfare Council, a statutory body composed of government officials and NGO representatives, responsible for formulating ageing policies, coordinating welfare activities, promoting geriatric healthcare, conducting research, raising awareness, and establishing senior citizen homes. The Act allows senior citizens to obtain a Senior Citizen Card, granting benefits such as free entry to public facilities, financial assistance, hospital concessions, separate medical wards, and access to senior citizens’ organizations. A Welfare Fund is established to support these initiatives, sourced from government allocations, donations, and secure investments, with mandatory annual audits made public. The Act empowers the government to make rules, the Council to issue regulations, and repeals the earlier 2014 Ordinance.
Who were the beneficiaries?

Older citizens of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa district, Pakistan
What makes it a ‘good practice’?

It establishes a legal base for a Social Welfare Fund and issuance of senior citizens cards. 
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Who implemented it?
Government
Implementing/responsible entity:
Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Categories:
Older persons and development (Participation of older persons); Work, the labour force, poverty and social protection (Social protection/income security)
Country:
Pakistan
Type of instrument:
Law or act
Year of implementation:
2014
Action Plan for Improving the Situation of Senior Citizens "Active Longevity" until 2025
What was implemented?

An action plan aimed at enhancing the well-being and quality of life of older citizens. The primary objectives include improving the financial status of older adults, increasing their employment opportunities, providing family support, enhancing health-care services, and promoting social integration through leisure activities and modernizing public consciousness around ageing. The plan also focuses on strengthening the social services sector and providing emergency support for older individuals.
Who were the beneficiaries?

Practitioners in different line Ministry benefit from a clear action plan. Older citizens of Kazakhstan are the ultimate beneficiaries
What were the results?

This action plan established the need for Active Longevity Centrees. As of January 1, 2023, there were a total of 63 centers operating throughout the country.
How was it developed and implemented?

The action plan was planned by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kazakhstan with technical assistance from the UNFPA. It involves coordinated effort across multiple sectors, such as healthcare, social services, employment, family support, and engages ministries and local authorities. The Department of Social Assistance Policy Development is responsible for submitting an annual consolidated report on implementation progress to the Minister of  Labour and Social Protection.
What makes it a ‘good practice’?

This Action Plan focuses on improving the quality of life of older persons by addressing multiple key sectors, and not just one area. Therefore, it strives to improve quality of life across the board. It also emphasises community participation through its active ageing centres. Further, its annual reporting requirement ensures accountability, as well as ongoing evaluation of progress toward objectives, making the plan more sustainable and the goals more achievable.
Supporting documents:

Action Plan for Improving the Situation of Senior Citizens "Active Longevity" until 2025 | Ageing Policies Database - UNECE
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Who implemented it?
Government, Others
Implementing/responsible entity:
The plan was initiated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kazakhstan, with technical assistance provided by UNFPA in Kazakhstan.
Categories:
Enabling and supportive environments (Age-friendly communities); Implementation and follow-up (Implementation/action plan); Older persons and development (Intergenerational initiatives, Participation of older persons, Rights of older persons)
Country:
Kazakhstan
Type of instrument:
Action plan
Year of implementation:
2021
Action Plan on Ageing, Phase III
What was implemented?

The Action Plan on Ageing, implemented by the Thai Government, is a practical plan that covers four sub-action plans. These include: preparing the population for ageing, raiseing the quality of life of the elderly in every dimension, promoting management systems that support an ageing society, increasing research potential in developing technology and innovation to support an ageing society.
Who were the beneficiaries?

The primary beneficiaries are Thai adults aged 25–59 preparing for old age, as well as current older persons, with a focus on improving quality of life, health, economic security, social inclusion, and innovation-driven care systems.
What were the results?

As the plan is newly launched, comprehensive outcome data is not yet available. However, supportive insights are emerging: the 2022 national “Situation of the Thai Older Persons” report highlights initiatives promoting employment and new career options for older Thais—enhancing income security and societal participation.
How was it developed and implemented?

Crafted through extensive stakeholder engagement—from central to local levels—the plan builds on four sub‑plans covering pre‑old age readiness, equitable quality-of-life improvements, systemic integration, and research & innovation. It includes defined indicators for monitoring (e.g., poverty reduction, healthy life expectancy, care access), establishes mechanisms for annual and five-year evaluations, and calls for budget integration across sectors and monitoring by the Department of Older Persons and the National Committee on Older Persons.
What makes it a ‘good practice’?

It is a long-term (15-year), evidence-informed, multi-sectoral framework with clear monitoring mechanisms and adaptive governance, fostering integration and innovation to holistically support both present and future older populations.
Supporting documents:

 
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Who implemented it?
Government
Implementing/responsible entity:
Government
Categories:
Implementation and follow-up (Implementation/action plan)
Country:
Thailand
Type of instrument:
Action plan
Year of implementation:
2023-2037
Action Plan to Implement the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS)
What was implemented?

A government action plan operationalising the National Social Security Strategy by outlining timelines, responsible ministries, reform steps, and coordination mechanisms. It translates the NSSS framework into concrete administrative and programme reform actions, including social protection for older persons.
Who were the beneficiaries?

Vulnerable populations across the life cycle, including older persons (60+), poor older persons, widows, persons with disabilities, and low-income households. 
What were the results?

The NSSS helped drive the expansion the "Old Age Allowance Programme" which provides cash payments to older persons and has increased coverage from 2.5 million to around 4.4 million older persons between 2015 and 2020. 
How was it developed and implemented?

Developed as the national roadmap following NSSS approval. Implementation occurred through phased reforms, programme consolidation, budget alignment, and strengthening of beneficiary targeting systems.
Supporting documents:

National Social Security Strategy
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Who implemented it?
Government
Implementing/responsible entity:
The Government of Bangladesh through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Social Welfare
Categories:
Work, the labour force, poverty and social protection (Social protection/income security)
Country:
Bangladesh
Type of instrument:
Action plan
Year of implementation:
2016
Active Ageing Hubs
What was implemented?

Active Aging Hubs are community‑based, integrated service centers that bring together health care, social care, home‑based support, rehabilitation services, and social participation opportunities for older adults. They were piloted beginning in 2021 in three settings: a nongovernmental residential home, a state‑run Elder Development Center, and a public hospital.
Who were the beneficiaries?

Older persons in Mongolia requiring mild support
What were the results?

Pilot results showed that the hubs:

  • Reduced social isolation
  • Improved health outcomes for moderately and severely dependent older adults
  • Enhanced support for family caregivers
    These outcomes are documented in ADB’s follow‑up reports detailing feasibility and community impact.
How was it developed and implemented?

The Active Aging Hubs were incorporated into Mongolia’s National Operational Plan for Long‑Term Care (2022–2024), which formalized the need for developing a comprehensive long‑term care system and supported piloting AAHs for scalable national expansion. [adb.org]
What makes it a ‘good practice’?

The AAH approach addresses Mongolia’s demographic challenges—rapid ageing, rural depopulation, and weakened family‑based support structures—by bringing services closer to where older adults live. It represents a high‑impact, innovative, and scalable model that other countries with dispersed populations can adapt.

Each hub is supported by a steering committee including local governors, health officials, NGOs, and elder associations. This ensures inter‑sectoral coordination, improves referral pathways, and creates community ownership—critical for a vast country with dispersed populations.
Supporting documents:

Developing Community-Based Long-Term Care Services for Older Adults: Lessons From A Pilot Project in Mongolia | Asian Development Bank
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Who implemented it?
Government, Non-government institution, Others
Implementing/responsible entity:
Asian Development Bank in partnership with Government of Mongolia
Categories:
Health and well-being (Active and healthy ageing); Older persons and development (Older persons’ associations, Participation of older persons)
Country:
Mongolia
Type of instrument:
Service
Year of implementation:
2021
Active Ageing Index (AAI) Calculation and Dedicated Survey for Evidence-Based Policies
What was implemented?

This initiative introduced the calculation of the Active Ageing Index and the implementation of dedicated surveys to generate data on ageing. It aims to support evidence-based policymaking by measuring participation, health, and enabling environments for older persons. Implemented nationally, it strengthens data and knowledge generation on ageing trends.
Who were the beneficiaries?

The direct beneficiaries are policymakers and other stakeholders who benefit from data and analysis on population-ageing for evidence-based policymaking. 
What were the results?

It generated data to be used for evidence-based policymaking. 
How was it developed and implemented?

Developed under the 2019–2021 project “Building a Society for All Ages,” jointly implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population and UNFPA.  The project prepared Azerbaijan’s first Active Ageing Index through surveys and national statistics for people aged 55 and over. It measured the extent to which older people live independently, work and participate in society, and was designed for use at both national and sub‑national levels. A report was also carried out by the UNFPA and Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of population of the Republic of Azerbaijan in order to analyse the index, finding that the principles reinforced by the AAI are crucial for healthy ageing on a societal level. Further, the AAI successfully surveyed 2,002 adults aged 55+ in October 2020 accross nine regions allowing for the official index to be calculated.
What makes it a ‘good practice’?

The index uses an internationally standardised methodology, producing evidence for policy and allowing comparison with other countries.  By identifying strengths and gaps, it supports data‑driven planning at national and regional levels and can be replicated elsewhere.
Supporting documents:

https://ageing-policies.unece.org/browse-policy/132

Active Ageing Index - benefits and opportunities for Azerbaijan - AZERTAC
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Who implemented it?
Government, Others
Implementing/responsible entity:
Labour and Social Protection of the Population and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Categories:
Data and research
Country:
Azerbaijan
Type of instrument:
Data
Year of implementation:
2021
Active Ageing Programmes
What was implemented?

Singapores Active Ageing Programmes (AAPs), implemented by the Government and Ministry of Health, aims to holistically improve the physical, mental and social wellness of older persons aged 60 and above. These programmes have been rolled out nationwide at community nodes to enhance accessibility of the programme to seniors, with 600 community partners having hosted AAPs as of March 2020.
Who were the beneficiaries?

Older persons aged 60 and above across Singapore, benefiting from improved physical, mental, and social wellness through nationwide community-based programmes.
What were the results?

“The Care Centres Act 1993 sets the minimal standards and provides for the registration of care centres in the country.”
How was it developed and implemented?

Implemented by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) and People’s Association (PA) to drive regular participation across active-ageing domains (physical, social, mental), and rolled out nationwide at community nodes to maximize access. Part of a whole-of-government, whole-of-society strategy under the Action Plan for Successful Ageing, developed through extensive public consultations and inter-agency collaboration.
What makes it a ‘good practice’?

This programme holistically supports the physical, mental, and social wellness of seniors aged 60+, delivered through a nationwide, community-based network of around 600 partners to maximise accessibility. Implemented under a coordinated inter-agency framework by the Health Promotion Board and People’s Association within the national ageing blueprint, it tracks measurable outcomes—such as reach and partner engagement—and integrates with complementary initiatives like Project Silver Screen for functional screening.
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Who implemented it?
Government
Implementing/responsible entity:
Government of Singapore, Ministry of Health
Categories:
Older persons and development (Comprehensive policy frameworks)
Country:
Singapore
Type of instrument:
Programme
Year of implementation:
2015
Active Longevity Centers
What was implemented?

Kazakhstan has launched a network of Active Longevity Centers nationwide to support the social integration of elderly adults and promote active lifestyle through a comprehensive approach for body and mind. The establishment of Active Longevity Centers is a central element of the 'Action Plan for improving the situation of senior citizens "Active Longevity" until 2025'. The centers offer free cultural, creative, physical, and educational activities for retirees to improve physical and mental well-being. People of retirement age can receive a physical and mental check-up, attend dance and vocal classes, chess, Kazakh and English lessons, creative arts, handicrafts, IT literacy, gardening therapy, memory-enhancement techniques etc. - free of charge. These centers are designed to encourage positive thinking and active engagement in life, which can ultimately extend longevity and prevent loneliness and stress.
Who were the beneficiaries?

Citizens of Kazakhstan that have reached pension age.
What were the results?

As of 2025, the network of Active Longevity Centers has increased to 127 across Kazakhstan.
How was it developed and implemented?

In 2021, the Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan approved the 'Action Plan for Improving the Situation of Senior Citizens "Active Longevity" until 2025', kickstarting a comprehensive, integrated approach in line with international standards and recommendations such as the Madrid International Plan on Ageing (MIPAA). One core implementation approach of the Action Plan was the establishment of Active Longevity Centers across Kazakhstan. They have since been confirmed as a core implementation approach also in the next 'Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Senior Citizens until 2029'.
What makes it a ‘good practice’?

Active Longevity Centers are contributing to the formation of a "third-age community" as retirees form new social bonds, upgrade their financial, legal, and digital literacy skills, and partake in sports, cultural and tourism activities. It is a holistic approach to longevity addressing challenges from loneliness to health to learning important skills in fast transforming societies.
Supporting documents:

https://ageing-policies.unece.org/browse-policy/3009

https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/enbek/documents/details/136353?lang=ru 
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Who implemented it?
Government, Non-government institution, Academic
Implementing/responsible entity:
Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan; with contributions from the Ministries of Health, Culture and Sports, and local executive bodies
Categories:
Enabling and supportive environments; Health and well-being; Older persons and development
Country:
Kazakhstan
Type of instrument:
Case study
Year of implementation:
2021 (national scaling through respective action plan); first pilot in 2018 by Kumis Khasyr Foundation and Department of Social Employment, Almaty City

Suggested citation: ESCAP, Database of Good Practices on Population Ageing, available at: https://www.population-trends-asiapacific.org/repositories/good-practices

 

About

Policies are based on: Submissions from ESCAP members and associate members, and research by ESCAP staff, supported by AI tools, including using related databases.

Note: These good practices represent a selection of approaches to implementing MIPAA in Asia and the Pacific. There is no claim to completeness.

Categories & Design

Categories and sub-categories align with:

o Priority directions in the 2002 Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing
o Outcome document of the Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Meeting on the Fourth Review and Appraisal of MIPAA (2022)

Tutorial

Watch a short video on how to use the database of good practices.

Acknowledgements

This database is brought to you by the collective efforts of the Social Development Division of ESCAP, focal points on ageing from ESCAP member States who submitted good practices as well as many collaborators who have compiled, drafted and edited content for this website as well as the technical team that has developed the database and ensures its functionalities. We also acknowledge the efforts made by ECE and their contributors to compiled a related database.

Related resources

You may also find the following databases and resources useful:

AARP Toolkit of Actions on Ageing

ECE Ageing Policies Database

UN Decade of Healthy Ageing Knowledge Platform

WHO Global Platform of age-friendly practices

Disclaimer

ESCAP bears no responsibility for the availability or functioning of external URLs. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country. Mention of firm names and commercial products does not imply the endorsement of the United Nations.

Suggested citation: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Database of good practices on ageing. Online.