Healthy Ageing: Solutions to a global challenge

For the first time in human history, the majority of us can expect to live to 60 and beyond.

Healthy Ageing

The global population is continuing to age, with the pace of ageing increasing rapidly. In 2019, the United Nations’ World Population Prospects report projected that by 2030, the number of people aged 60 and over will rise by 38 per cent, from 1 billion to 1.4 billion. Globally, this age group will outnumber youth, and the increase will be greatest and fastest in the developing world.

Our longer life spans, while positive in many ways, bring challenges. Although population ageing is expected, the UN has warned that many countries’ health systems are not prepared for the challenges associated with it.

In December 2020, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2021-2030 the Decade of Healthy Ageing, aligned with the last ten years of the Sustainable Development Goals, in order to highlight some of these challenges, and to find ways to improve the experience of older age. It identified health as key for allowing us to make the most of the opportunities that longer life brings.

The challenges defined

A longer life can bring a wealth of opportunities – not only more time to spend with loved ones, pursuing new career prospects, retraining and following hobbies, but also making important contributions to families, communities and the national economy.