The world is experiencing an unprecedented demographic transition – it is getting older. By 2025, 26% of the global population will be at least 65 years old.

In Asia, the elderly will soon account for more than 20% of the population in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Republic of Korea, and Singapore. Japan already surpasses that figure. Rapid aging is also affecting several low- and middle-income countries in Asia and the Pacific.

The share of the population over 65 is expected to increase four- to seven-fold from 2012 to 2050 in India, Mongolia, and Thailand. There is growing apprehension among countries in developing Asia about whether they will have enough time to successfully adapt to their aging demographic profile, as Japan or Europe have done.

Elderly populations generate greater demand for health care services for chronic conditions, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease and cancer. — blog.adb.org/blogs