People Worldwide Living Longer, A New Challenge, Says United Nations

Date: Oct-02-2012Longer lifespans are not only occurring in developed nations. By 2050, four-fifths of the world's elderly people will be in developing nations, and there will be more seniors aged 60+ than children aged 15 or less, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon said today to mark the International Day of Older Persons.

A new report, issued by the United Nations (UN) urges governments across the world to address the needs of elderly people, who are currently the fastest growing segment of global populations. Seniors require policies aimed at them, as well as laws and strategies for their own protection.

Ban Ki-moon said:

"Rapid population ageing and a steady increase in human longevity worldwide represent one of the greatest social, economic and political transformations of our time.

These demographic changes will affect every community, family and person. They demand that we rethink how individuals live, work, plan and learn throughout their lifetimes, and that we re-invent how societies manage themselves."

Both rich and developing nations are seeing rapidly longer lifespans. A 2009 study from the University of Southern Denmark predicted that if life expectancy trends continue, over half of babies born in rich nations today will live to 100 years.

The report, which was created by HelpAge Interantional and UNFPA is called "Ageing in the Twenty-first Century: A Celebration and a Challenge". The authors explain that even though the trend towards longer lifespans is cause for celebration, it also brings with it enormous challenges which require novel approaches to retirement, health care, accommodation, and intergenerational relations.

During the launch of the report in Tokyo, UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin, said "People everywhere must age with dignity and security, enjoying life through the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Longer life expectancy was a goal of the Cairo International Conference on Population and Development in 1994. More action needs to be taken to achieve this for all people; new poverty goals must not exclude older people."

Governments across the world urgently need to put policies and practices in place so that they can support their current elderly populations, as well as preparing for 2050, the authors explained.

The report commends more than 100 nations that are already starting to take steps by introducing non-contributory social pensions. However, this is just a first small step, the authors emphasize.

Seniors have contributed socially and economically to their communities throughout their lives. They still do - 46% of senior men and nearly 24% of senior women are still in jobs, according to the UN. Despite their contributions, in many parts of the world they continue to face abuse, discrimination and violence. Governments, civil society and the public at large need to get together to put an end to these destructive attitudes and practices and invest in elderly people.

The older generation includes leaders, business people, volunteers, teachers, voters, caregivers and many other types of professionals and workers. The older generation is a growing pool of talent and experience that could and should be tapped.

In the report there are examples of accounts by 1,300 elderly men and women who took part in group discussions in 36 countries. They explained what life is like for them; they all agree that more effort and understanding is needed to meet their needs.

Dr. Osotimehin said:

"Ageing is a lifelong process that does not start at age 60. Today's young people will be part of the two billion-strong population of older persons in 2050. This report shows that, with actions taken now, we can all benefit from the longevity dividend - increasingly in the developing world - now and in the future."

Within the next decade there will be over 1 billion people aged 60+ worldwide
Life expectancy worldwide rose dramatically over the last 100 years
For tens of thousands of years, global human life expectancy remained fairly low and constant, until about 100 years ago, and then started to rise rapidly.

Global life expectancy over the last 50,000 years:

Upper Paleolithic (from 50,000 to 10,000 years ago)

Life expectancy: 33 years

Neolithic (8000 to 6000 BC)

Life expectancy: 20 years

Bronze Age and Iron Age (3600-1200 BC)

Life expectancy: 26 years

Classical Greece (500 and 400 BC)

Life expectancy: 28 years

Classical Rome (753BC to 510AD)

Life expectancy: 28 years

Pre-Columbian North America (before 1492)

Life expectancy: 25-30 years


Medieval Britain (400 to 1485)

Life expectancy: 30 years

Early Modern Britain (1700 to 1900)

Life expectancy: 25-40 years

Early 20th Century

Life expectancy: 31 years

2010 world average

Life expectancy: 67.2 years

Written by Christian Nordqvist

Copyright: Medical News Today

Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.