(VOV) -The number of elderly people in Vietnam is growing fast, making up 10.2% of the country’s total population.
The rapid aging population is attributed to the rising average life expectancy and the low birth rate and death rate.
It is estimated to take Vietnam just two decades to switch from the structure of the “aging” population to the “age” population structure.
Speaking at a two-day seminar in Hanoi on September 25, Arthur Erken, chief representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Vietnam, emphasised that Vietnam’s aging population poses huge challenges in the 21st century.
The aging population is seen in many developing countries, including Vietnam. At present, one in every 10 people enters the age of 60 and over, and the figure is expected to rise to 1/5 by 2050, he noted.
Participants underscored the need to deal with aging population related issues such as low income and poor social welfare and healthcare services.
According to Vietnam’s 2011 Elderly Survey, 39% of old people are still working. The proportions of elderly people in rural areas and elderly women in the labor force are much higher than those living in urban areas and elderly men. However, most elderly people are low and unstable income-earners. Approximately 17% of them are living under the poverty line.
Under the national action plan on the elderly over the 2012-2020 period, old people-related issues were added to government programmes and policies.
Delegates from China, Japan, Thailand and the Republic of Korea also discussed how best to deal with old people’s concerns and overcoming challenges posed by an aging population.
Đăng ký: VietNam News
