By Ana Ligia Mixco Sol de SacaFirst Lady of El Salvador, and
President of the National Secretariat for the Family.
She also coordinates the
National Council for Older Persons.
March 1, 2008
Our world is rapidly changing. All the regions that make up our planet are undergoing massive transformations. The Western hemisphere, for example, is experiencing a significant demographic shift. Breakthroughs in public health, nutrition, and medical science and technology are dramatically increasing the life expectancy of men and women.
A significant factor in this achievement has been the reduction in infant mortality. Life expectancy increased considerably in the 20th Century. The richest parts of the world have registered the greatest improvements. The major exception to this pattern of improvement has been in countries most affected by HIV/AIDS, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, where major decrements in life expectancy have occurred.
One may conclude nonetheless, that the overall improvements are evidence of continued success in the development of most societies, and a clear testament of human progress.
This new demographic reality also means that governments have to incorporate the needs of older persons in social policy design, and make them a priority.
Although the aging population of my country is experiencing moderate growth, the world’s overall aging population is growing at an accelerated rate. According to UN estimates, the proportion of older people has been rising steadily, from 8 percent in 1950, to 11 percent in 2007—and it is expected to reach 22 percent by 2050. As long as old age mortality continues to decline and fertility remains low, the proportion of senior citizens will continue to increase.
Put differently, in 2000, the population aged 60 years or over, totaled 600 million—a three-fold increase from 1950. In 2006, the number of older people had surpassed 700 million. By 2050, 2 billion senior citizens are projected to be alive, once again tripling the current number in a span of five decades.
These dramatic statistics should galvanize governments, NGOs, other social actors, and the international community, to put the plight of the older population squarely on our agendas for policy responses.
Because women live longer than men, women constitute the majority of older persons. According to UN figures, women currently outnumber men around the world by about 70 million among those aged 60 years or over. Among those aged 80 or older, women almost double the number of men, and among centenarians, women are between four and five times as numerous as men. This trend is forcing us to look at this phenomenon as a process of Feminization of Aging.
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Source: AARP International
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