Ageing and health in the South-East Asia Region

Population ageing is advancing rapidly across the WHO South-East Asia Region, where the proportion of older people in the age group of 60 years and above is expected to increase from 12.2% in 2024 to 22.9 % by 2050. Although longevity is improving, it is not always accompanied by good health; older adults may spend several years in poor health, often requiring care.

These demographic shifts highlight the need to develop “future-ready” health and social systems, reduce inequities, especially for vulnerable groups such as older women, and achieve the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing’s vision to create a world where all can live long, healthy lives.

Without action, sustainable development and the goals of the 2030 Agenda, including the 1 billion target for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) that includes older people, will not be realized to their full potential.