Future challenge: Pakistan’s elderly likely to double by 2025

Report says increase in demographic will create new health and social challenges

KARACHI: The percentage of Pakistan’s population over 65 years of age is likely to double by 2025 and expose the country to various new social challenges, warns a report compiled by researchers associated with the Dow University of Health Sciences in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO).

At present, 4.2% of Pakistan’s population is over 65 years of age, it says, stressing the
“immediate need to recognise and take comprehensive timely action to address population ageing.”

“This must be done through systematic integrated health care and social services complemented with continued family support,” the report adds. It warns that emerging social and cultural transformations due to the decline in traditional family values and extended family systems will further compromise the elderly and have significant health and socio-economic implications on the country as a whole.

The report also points out that life expectancy in Pakistan will increase from the current 65.99 years of age to around 72 years by 2023. “[As such] the government, society and communities as a whole, need to act now and plan together responsibly for health services and supportive environments favourable to graceful and healthy ageing.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2016.