RUSSIA: Ageing Is An Important Problem For The Federation

MACAO, China (ESCAP), October 9, 2007: Ageing is an important problem for the Russian Federation, according to the country report on Russia presented here at High-level Meeting on the Regional Review of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) by the ESCAP (ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC). Since 1992 the demographic situation in Russia has been characterized by reduction of population and low life expectancy (on average – 66.7 years, for men – 60.9 and for women – 73.1). Since 2000 the dynamic of birth-rates has been showing positive trends. The death-rate indicators are changing for the better as well. The situation with aging differs throughout the country. In Russia there are 28.96 million older people (24.4 % of total population). The number of older people exceeds the number of children and teenagers in the country. Aging as a complex socio-demographic process is accompanied by deformation of gender structure of the population (per 1000 of men over 60 there are 1970 women of the same age). The majority of older people live in cities, 77% with families. There are a significant number of groups of people over 80, in these groups the number of women dominates considerably: in the age of 80-84 there are 435.4 thousand men per 1636.0 thousand women; aged 85 and over – 163.5 thousand men per 815.4 thousand women. The problem of aging population is not so relevant in the regions of Siberia and Far East. In general for Siberia region the part of aged people is 18.1% and for Far East – 16.1% of the total population. But nevertheless in Siberia and Far East regions significant efforts and expenses are required to tackle this problem because of environmental-climatic conditions, prevalence of distant and difficult to access settlements, peculiarities of traditional way of life of not numerous native groups. Taking into consideration all possible options of the population forecast, starting from 2009 the part of people over capable of work age will increase reaching by 2025 26.2% of the total Russian population. Per hundred people of working age there will be 84 of not working age, including 49 over working age. Russia is the country, which geographically, historically, culturally and politically is part of Europe and as well as of Asia and the Pacific region. Therefore in the sphere of aging Russia implements not only Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging but the Regional Implementation Strategy for the Madrid Plan of Action on Aging adopted in 2002 at the UNECE Ministerial Conference on Aging as well. Earlier adopted documents of prolonged action are also important, including Plan of Action on Aging for Asia and the Pacific and Guidelines on the Implementation of the Macau Plan of action on Aging. In accordance with principles mentioned above and other UN documents Russia forms and implement its own strategy in this sphere. Aging of population in Russia which accelerated in 1990s reform period has continued in the recent five years in the background of positive trends in demographic development, economic growth, poverty reduction, income growth, sustainable labor market, pension allowances improvement. Government social policy in respect to older people is a part of State social policy and interconnected in all its directions at the stages of preparation, approval and implementation of the decisions. There are no limitations in Russian legislation for older people first of all in respect of exercising of human rights and freedoms, accession to medical care, social protection, medico-social preventive measures and rehabilitation, education and professional training, participation in paid or voluntary activities, protection of consumer rights. Nevertheless task to further enhance legal regulation of relations directly concerning older people is still relevant. In Russia actions in the sphere of aging are based on the tasks of the Message of the President of the Russian Federation to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. They emphasize the obligation of state to render assistance to not able to work and poor citizens such as disabled, pensioners, orphans, take care of older people, provide them with pension allowances and everything necessary for decent living. Measures to support welfare and social well being of older Russian citizens, conditions for their participation in social live, assistance and care are included into the Program on Socio-Economic Development of the Russian Federation in Midterm Perspective (2006-2008) and main spheres of activities of the Government of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2008. In the same time Russia has a positive experience of implementing the National Program for Older People (federal program “Older Generation”, 1999-2004). The bulk of work in this sphere in Russia shifted to the regional level that was accompanied by the widening of mandate of local authorities and revenue growth in the regions. Taking into consideration significant differences of geographical, environmental and climatic, ethno-cultural and confessional character, indicators of aging, public health and budgetary provision, regions of Russia can define their own priorities in the sphere of aging. In five years since Madrid Forum following goals have been achieved: - financial and social state of older people was stabilized and then enhanced by improving the mechanisms of legal regulation and building up of resource capacities; - improvement of existing and shaping new institutions of life support, support of vitality and health, socialization and social communication of older people to be continued. Conclusions Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging played a special role in creating conceptual bases for a wider understanding of aging as a process touching all spheres of life. In Russia steps are being taken to estimate the influence of aging on the prospects of demographic, social and economic development. The important part of the activities on aging in Russia is solving of concrete emerging problems on the regional level with help of the general conceptual platform. Programs on social protection of older people have their own spheres of application and particularities that depend on specific needs of older people and availability of resources for achieving these goals. In the perspective it deems appropriate to apply address approach in solving different problems caused by aging since some difficulties appear because of multiplicity and diversity in older people socio-demographic group across the regions. 2008 is declared in Russia the Year of Family. In the course of the year several complex actions are to be elaborated and implemented in the interests of older people families and large number families taking care simultaneously of children and older parents and other relatives. The course on establishing a positive attitude to aging and older people as a respected and active part of the society will be continued in order to raise readiness of the population to current demographic changes. One of the important tasks is to work out a system of indicators providing a real estimate of current changes taking into account the concrete situation in the sphere of aging. Currently, problems caused by aging are being solved in the Russian Federation step by step but not always completely. Diversity remains in the state of older people throughout the regions, between cities and in the country, including high level of vulnerability of older women. The Government of the Russian Federation will continue actions on solving the problems connected with aging population and individual aging using positive international experience, national priorities of social development, resources capacity, diversity and particularities of the regions situated in the European part of the country, Urals, Siberia and Far East. Russia will continue to actively participate in international, regional and bilateral actions and opinion exchanges promoting implementation of Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging recommendations and other fundamental documents in this sphere.