The number of senior citizens (aged 60 and above) in Bangladesh is projected to rise to 50 million, covering about app00over 20 percent of the country’s population, by 2050, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof. Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain said on Wednesday.
Currently, around 16 million people (1.6 crore), close to one-tenth of the country’s population, are aged 60 or above, he said.
The minister also said Bangladesh has recorded the highest increase in average life expectancy globally over the past 25 years.
The average life expectancy, currently 74.9 years, is expected to rise to around 80 years, he said.
He made the remarks while speaking at a discussion organised by the Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The minister said the growing elderly population should not be viewed merely as a statistic or a stage of life. Instead, concerted efforts are needed to ensure that senior citizens can lead healthy, secure and dignified lives and continue to contribute to society.
Calling for collective efforts by the government and society at large, Zahid Hossain said the allowances provided by the Ministry of Social Welfare to disadvantaged people are currently insufficient.
He stressed the need to increase the allowances so that more senior citizens can benefit from the support.
The International Day of Older Persons is observed every year on October 1. This year, however, the Dhaka programme was held on October 7 as Zahid Hossain, who also handles the Women and Children
The theme of this year’s observance was "The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives”.
The minister said the government is working towards building a “Bangladesh for All”, with a focus on creating a democratic, humane and inclusive society.
He said action plans and budgets are being implemented to address the needs of people throughout their lives, from newborns to senior citizens.
Zahid Hossain highlighted various government initiatives for the welfare and healthcare of senior citizens aged 60 and above.
However, he said the government alone cannot ensure the wellbeing of the country’s growing elderly population and called on society to come forward with initiatives and support for older people.
Earlier in the morning, the minister joined a rally organised by the Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare.
The rally, bringing together people from younger and older generations, began in front of the Agargaon Senior Citizens’ Association.