Ageing in Asia: Trends, Impacts and Responses

By the middle of this century, Asia’s elderly population is projected to reach 922.7 million, and its share of population 17.5 per cent from just 4.1 per cent in 1950. Within the next few decades, Asia is poised to become the oldest region in the world; reforming policies and creating new structures and institutions to address this challenge is a huge and complex undertaking that requires a big head start. This paper analyses the impact that ageing is having in Asia; examines the policy options for dealing with the problems it is causing, and outlines how different subregions may require different responses.