The aging of Asia

Abstract

This article reviews some of the demographic characteristics of population aging and the elderly populations in 14 Asian countries: health and life expectancy; sex ratio, marital status, and living arrangements; and rural versus urban residence, labor force participation, retirement, and income. It also focuses on current programs for the elderly populations in Asia and discusses three general issues of importance in the development of aging policies: (a) to what extent should the West be used as a model; (b) what should be the role of the family versus the government in caring for elderly people who cannot care for themselves; and (c) should eligibility for programs be based on age or need?