DUSHANBE, September 10, 2015, Asia-Plus — Tajikistan is not the best place to grow old, according to an index of the quality of later life in 96 countries.
HelpAge International”s Global AgeWatch Index measures the social and economic welfare of those over 60.
It ranks Tajikistan 58th among 96 countries in terms of quality of later life. Compared to 2014, Tajikistan rose three places. In 2013, Global AgeWatch Index ranked Tajikistan 52nd among 92 countries.
Switzerland topped the index, knocking last year”s winner Norway off the top spot. Sweden, Germany and Canada rounded out the top five, while Japan in eighth place was the highest-ranking Asian country.
Global AgeWatch Index ranks Afghanistan last.
The Global AgeWatch Index measures the quality of life of older people across the four categories of income security, including pensions and the poverty rate; health status, such as life expectancy; capability, which covers employment and education; and enabling environment, from physical safety to public transport access.
The Telegraph
reports that there are 901 million people in the world who are 60 years old or above, representing 12.3 percent of the global population. This is expected to rise to 1.4 billion people, or 16.5 percent, by 2030.
By 2050, more than 2 billion people, or a fifth of the world”s population, will be 60 or older. Almost one-in-three countries will have “hyper-ageing” societies, when 30 percent or more of the population is 60-plus, compared to just one country, Japan, today.
HelpAge International is an international NGO that helps older people claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty, so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives.
Five organizations from Canada, Colombia, Kenya, India and the United Kingdom set up HelpAge International in 1983 to provide a network to support older people worldwide.
HelpAge International now has well over 100 affiliates and works with more than 200 other partners in more than 70 countries.
