Aging Population

India's ageing population at high risk of dementia, cases to double by 2030

By 2050, India will host 15% of the world's silver generation, facing a rising wave of dementia

China's aging population fuels 'silver economy' boom; profits, elusive

Every Wednesday, retiree Zhang Zhili travels an hour by bus to an education center, drawn by the pulsing rhythms of the African drum she plays there in a classroom filled with fellow retirees whose hands move in unison, every beat lifting her spirits. Zhang, 71, has found joy and new friends at the elderly university in Beijing. Besides African drums, the former primary school teacher joins social dance classes, paying about 2,000 yuan (USD 280) for two courses this semester. Seeing herself standing tall in dance class boosts her confidence. After class, she hangs out with her friends. When we get old, what do we need?" she said. To love ourselves. Many older Chinese are looking beyond traditional nursing homes, afraid of abandonment by their families and quality issues. That's driving a boom in universities, home care services, and communities catering to older adults. Though some providers struggle to turn a profit, they persist because they see promise in the growing market. Chi

Japan's new norm of working into your 70s may spread to rest of world soon

To coax companies to keep elderly people employed, the government is already providing subsidies to firms employing those aged 65 and older

Delhi sees decline in birth rate post-Covid, from 18.35 to 14.85 per 1,000

Delhi saw a decline in birth rate after the COVID-19 pandemic as it reduced from 18.35 per 1000 population to 14.85 in 2020, according to the latest report of the government. The 'Annual Report on Registration of Births and Deaths in Delhi-2023' also said that out of 13,919 non-institutional births, 7,216 (51.84 per cent) were females. Out of 3,01,168 institutional births, 1,94,428 (64.56 per cent) births occurred in government hospitals. Out of the total institutional births, 1,43,891 (47.78 per cent) were females, according to the report. The report said one of the important indicators that emerge out of Civil Registration System is birth rate which, during the period between 2005 to 2019, is hovering between 18-22 per 1000 population. However, after Covid-19, the birth rate ranges between 13-15 per 1000 population from 2020-2023. The report, however, did not cite the reason for the decline in figures. In 2019, the birth rate stood at 18.35 per 1000 population while it declined

Kiren Rijiju launches 'Jiyo Parsi' scheme portal to stop population decline

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday launched the Jiyo Parsi scheme portal that would enable Parsis to apply, check the status of their application and to receive financial assistance online through direct benefit transfer mode. The Jiyo Parsi scheme is a unique central sector scheme implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs with the objective to reverse the declining trend of Parsi population by adopting a scientific protocol and structured interventions, and to stabilise their population. The scheme provides financial assistance to Parsi couples for medical treatment under standard medical protocol and towards childcare and assistance to the dependent elderly. Rijiju launched the scheme portal in the presence of Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian and National Commission for Minorities Chairperson Iqbal Singh Lalpura, among others. Speaking on the occasion, Rijiju emphasised the rich heritage and culture of the Parsi community and underlined t

World Population Day 2024: Top 50 quotes and messages to share on this day

World Population Day 2024 is celebrated on July 11 every year. Here are the 50 best messages and quotes to share on this special day

World Population Day 2024: History, significance, theme, facts and more

It is an occasion to spread awareness and educate people about the problems associated with increasing population and its control

Court orders Japan govt to compensate forcibly sterilised disabled people

In a landmark decision, Japan's Supreme Court ordered the government Wednesday to pay suitable compensation to about a dozen victims who were forcibly sterilised under a now-defunct Eugenics Protection Law that was designed to eliminate offspring of people with disabilities. An estimated 25,000 people were sterilised between the 1950s and 1970s without consent to prevent the birth of poor-quality descendants" under the law, described by plaintiffs' lawyers as the biggest human rights violation in the post-war era" in Japan. The court said the 1948 eugenics law was unconstitutional and rejected the government's claim that the 20-year statute of limitations should prevent it from paying restitution. Wednesday's decision involved 11 of the 39 plaintiffs who fought at five lower courts across Japan to get their case heard by the country's top court. Cases involving the other litigants are still pending. The plaintiffs, a number of them in wheelchairs, held up signs saying thank you and

India needs to expand universal health coverage for ageing population: ADB

India is one of the lowest among the Asia Pacific nations when it comes to health insurance for older people and needs to expand universal health coverage to meet the needs of rapidly ageing population and sustain growth momentum, a report by ADB said on Thursday. While the South Korea and Thailand have achieved universal health coverage, others lag behind with India having the lowest health insurance coverage among older people at 21 per cent, a report titled 'Aging Well In Asia' prepared by ADB said. However, schemes like Ayushman Bharat that provides cashless healthcare to bottom quartile of population has improved health coverage since its launch, ADB senior economist Aiko Kikkawa said here. Expanding it further will improve the condition and make people aged over 60 years more productive for the economy, she said, adding, silver dividend can be higher for such countries who gainfully employ them. Besides achieving universal health coverage, she said, it is also critical to ext

Jobs creation in South Asia lags population growth, says World Bank chief

"If only they can be employed. It's a fantastic opportunity to grow but until recently employment ratios have been falling," says Franziska Ohnsorge

South Korea firm to give workers $75,000 bonus to have babies, help country

Korean construction giant Booyoung announced the financial incentive as the country is faced with falling birth rates amid rising cost of rearing a child

South Korea's fertility rate, which is world's lowest, drops to fresh low

The total number of births in South Korea stood at 230,000 in 2023, a 7.7 per cent decrease and another new low for the country, which has a population of about 50 million people

Shrinking, aging pool of workers push Japan to find new ways to fill Jobs

Earlier this year, the government committed ¥3.5 trillion ($23.6 billion) on measures to increase the birthrate, but the shortfall in available workers has been challenging employers for some time

Singapore's policies present blueprint to address 'population ageing' issue

Ageing Singapore offers a blueprint for action

India may have more elderly persons than children by 2050: UN report

UNFPA report said that most southern states and select northern states such as HP and Punjab reported a higher share of elderly population than national average in 2021; the gap is likely to widen

Over 1.3 billion people globally to have diabetes by 2050, finds study

A loss of the body's ability to control blood sugar levels, diabetes affects one in 10 adults globally and caused 6.7 million deaths in 2021, the International Diabetes Federation estimates

The Chinese govt wants the youth to marry, but they don't see the point

There was a downfall of 800,000 in the number of weddings in 2022 when compared with 2021

India's youth population alone not enough for demographic dividend: Experts

Gains require an economic system that uses workforce productively, they say

China loses more than 40 mn workers in three years as population ages

The data reflects a rapid rise in the number of people retiring, likely raising pressure on Beijing to accelerate unpopular plans to raise official retirement ages

Japan births at record low as population shrinks and ages: Official

The number of babies born in Japan this year is below last year's record low in what the the top government spokesman described as a critical situation. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno promised comprehensive measures to encourage more marriages and births. The total of 599,636 Japanese born in January-September was 4.9% below last year's figure, suggesting the number of births in all of 2022 might fall below last year's record low of 811,000 babies, he said. Japan is the world's third biggest economy but living costs are high and wage increases have been slow. The conservative government has lagged on making society more inclusive for children, women and minorities. So far, the government's efforts to encourage people to have more babies have had limited impact despite payments of subsidies for pregnancy, childbirth and child care. The pace is even slower than last year ... I understand that it is a critical situation, Matsuno said. Many younger Japanese have balked at