By 2030, the global population aged 60 and above is projected to reach 1.4 billion, with 80% residing in low- and middle-income nations, underscoring growing inequities in healthcare access, social support, and long-term care. This demographic shift reflects a rapid transformation in world populations, as the share of individuals aged 65 has nearly doubled between 1974 and 2024, and older adults are expected to make up 22% of the global population by 2050, up from 12% in 2015.
The United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), was established to tackle these challenges through coordinated global action. Its mission centers on enhancing quality of life in later years by promoting age-friendly environments, eliminating age-based discrimination, improving integrated health systems, and expanding long-term care solutions. The initiative aligns with the final phase of the Sustainable Development Goals and emphasizes adding vitality to extended lifespans.
Despite medical advances that have boosted life expectancy worldwide, many older individuals—especially in rural and under-resourced regions—still face significant health and socioeconomic barriers. Women over 60 in disadvantaged settings are particularly affected due to systemic gender inequalities and limited access to education and care. The 2015 WHO World Report on Ageing and Health highlighted the necessity for comprehensive public health strategies to address these disparities.
Since the launch of the Decade, foundational steps have been taken. In 2021, WHO released a baseline assessment outlining the global starting point. A digital collaborative platform was also developed to connect stakeholders, share knowledge, and support national efforts. Civil society organizations play a vital role in this framework, with networks like HelpAge International, the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People, and regional coalitions contributing expertise and grassroots outreach.
Local actors, such as GRAVIS in India, exemplify effective community-driven models. By partnering with international NGOs, GRAVIS delivers medical services, fosters intergenerational connections, and raises awareness in remote areas through long-term care programs, reaching over 300,000 elderly individuals. Such initiatives demonstrate the potential for scalable, community-based solutions.
However, progress remains uneven. Awareness of the Decade’s objectives is still limited, especially in regions most affected by ageing populations. Partnerships lack diversity and inclusivity, and coordination between global, national, and local programs is often fragmented. Additionally, the importance of lifelong health strategies and intergenerational engagement is frequently overlooked in policy design.
To maximize impact before 2030, stakeholders must prioritize broader outreach, strengthen multisectoral collaboration—particularly with civil society—and document successful local practices for wider replication. Greater integration of existing initiatives will enhance efficiency and coverage. As the midpoint of the Decade approaches in 2025, renewed momentum is essential. The International Day of Older Persons in October 2025 offers a timely opportunity to reinvigorate global commitment.
— news from The World Economic Forum
— News Original —
Are we on track when it comes to healthy ageing?
By 2030, 1.4 billion people will be aged over 60, with low- and middle-income countries hosting 80% of older populations, highlighting urgent disparities in health, care and social support. n nThe UN Decade of Healthy Ageing was launched by WHO to focus on age-friendly environments, combating ageism, integrated care and long-term care. n nCritical gaps remain as awareness is still low; accelerated action is therefore, needed to scale community-based programmes, strengthen intergenerational linkages and integrate initiatives. n nThe world is ageing at an unprecedented pace. n nThe change in global demography caused by population ageing has been a notable phenomenon in recent times. The global population of people aged 60 and above is expected to increase from 1.1 billion in 2023 to 1.4 billion in 2030. n nMoreover, the pace of population ageing has been significantly faster than in the past, with an estimated increase in the proportion of older people in the global population from 12% to 22% between 2015 and 2050. n nBetween 1974 and 2024, the worldwide share of people aged 65 has almost doubled. According to the World Population Prospects 2024, the trends are expected to reach their peak with a global population of 10.3 billion by the mid-2080s, underscoring the complexities ahead and the need for urgency. n nWhile there is a global trend of population ageing affecting all parts of the world, the challenge is far more severe in low- and middle-income countries, where it is estimated that 80% of all older people worldwide will reside by 2030. n nOlder people in low- and middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable due to poverty, socio-economic conditions, lack of literacy, double burden of disease and scarce availability of healthcare services. n nHolistic challenge n nLonger lives have become possible due to medical advancements, and as a result, overall life expectancy has increased worldwide. However, achieving healthier lives across the lifespan remains a challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and rural populations, where older people often face significant hardships and severe shortages. n nOlder women in such settings are particularly impacted as a result of gender discrimination and social barriers. n nThe World Report on Ageing and Health, published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2015, emphasises the need for holistic public health action addressing population ageing and related concerns. n nKeeping the emerging needs in view and in light of unequal progress worldwide, the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing has been envisioned, spanning from 2021 to 2030 and was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2020. n nIt is a global collaboration aligned with the last 10 years of Sustainable Development Goals to improve the lives of older people, their families and communities. Led by WHO, the decade focuses on four key action areas, including age-friendly environments, combating ageism, integrated care and long-term care. The overall vision is to add life to years. n nFurther, it is anticipated that the decade will leverage four key enablers critical for healthy ageing and well-being in old age. These include ensuring meaningful engagement of older people, leadership and capacity building, connecting stakeholders and strengthening data, research and innovation. n nThe decade is almost halfway through and is approaching its mid-point towards the end of 2025. What has been done so far? To begin with, in 2021, an assessment of the existing scenario was completed, and the WHO published the Decade of Healthy Ageing Baseline Report. n nMultistakeholder collaboration n nIn addition, a healthy ageing collaborative with a digital platform was established to convene stakeholders and serve as a knowledge repository. Furthermore, efforts have been made and are ongoing to educate various stakeholders about the decade, facilitate the development of meaningful partnerships and support country-level interventions. n nCivil society undoubtedly is an important stakeholder in the decade and its interventions. Various civil society organizations across the world have the connectivity and credibility to support national policies and programmes through constructive feedback with local populations. n nNetworks such as Help Age International, Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People, International Federation on Ageing and the Alliance for Longevity in the Asia Pacific, with their members and partners, are potential contributors to collective action. n n“ n nAchieving healthier lives across the lifespan remains a challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and rural populations, where older people often face significant hardships and severe shortages. n n” n nThe role of local organizations working at the ground level in countries also becomes essential. GRAVIS, a non-governmental organization based in India, partners with Help Age International and others to take a holistic approach to promoting healthy ageing among rural and impoverished communities. n nIts interventions aim to promote community mobilization for awareness generation and knowledge building, strengthen intergenerational linkages and provide medical and health services to older people in remote areas through a community-based long-term care programme. n nOver 300,000 older people are covered by GRAVIS interventions. There are several other examples of local civil society organizations from around the world contributing to the decade’s goals. n nAccelerating the pace of action n nAs the decade progresses and approaches its milestones in 2030, several challenges and concerns arise. Firstly, awareness about the decade remains quite low in all parts of the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where the need for action is the highest. n nSecondly, the progress is limited in terms of partnership building, in terms of the diversity of partners and in ensuring equitable representation across multiple criteria. n nThird, there is still significant disconnect between various programmes and interventions contributing to healthy ageing and well-being, implemented by the World Health Organization, governments and civil society. n nFourth and last, the life course approach towards healthy ageing and the relevance of intergenerational linkages are not fully recognized and not adequately considered in various interventions. n nTo be more effective within the limited time left in the decade, the attention may focus on a few key priorities. Greater communication with stakeholders and communities about the decade will be critical to raise awareness. n nStrengthening multi-sectoral partnerships, particularly with civil society, will be crucial to multiply the impact and reach the last mile. It may also be useful to examine best practices at the grassroots level in areas such as community-based groups, intergenerational learning and bonding, and community-based care services to facilitate their documentation and scale-up. n nIn addition, closer integration and convergence of programmes relevant to the decade will be important. n nThe UN Decade of Healthy Ageing has had an excellent start with a strong framework in place. However, time is of the essence; we must accelerate the pace of action. On 1 October, the International Day for Older Persons 2025 will be notable to consider renewed efforts and action.