IN Malaysia, those aged 60 years and above are deemed senior citizens, based on the definition agreed to at the World Assembly On Ageing 1982 in Vienna. As such, there are serious problems and challenges ahead because Malaysia will reach ageing nation status in 10 years when 15% of its population will be at least 60 years old. There are currently two million people aged 60 or older in the country, and this is set to increase to six million by 2040.
United Nations data show that the average person has gained an extra 30 years of life and can now expect to live to 72.6 years old. Japan, the world’s third largest economy, is already experiencing population ageing. By 2030, one in every three people in that country will be 65 or older and one in five people will be 75-plus years old.
