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Review
. 2025 Jul;25(7):837-854.
doi: 10.1111/ggi.70062. Epub 2025 May 15.

Aging in Southeast Asia and Japan: Challenges and opportunities

Ryota Sakamoto  1
Affiliations
Review

Aging in Southeast Asia and Japan: Challenges and opportunities

Ryota Sakamoto. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2025 Jul.

Abstract

Trends in life expectancy and fertility in Southeast Asia reflect the region's vulnerability to conflicts, natural disasters, infectious diseases and other crises. Southeast Asia is characterized by significant diversity, not only in its natural environment, history, religions, economic situations and political systems, but also in its challenges and healthcare systems, which include traditional medicine and local healing practices. Despite these differences, common issues are shared across the region, such as an aging population, the need for universal access to safe and secure healthcare, and the pursuit of peace and environmental harmony. Currently, Japan's aging population is more pronounced than in Southeast Asia, with a notable prevalence of older adults with chronic diseases, including dementia and living alone. However, if current demographic trends continue, most Southeast Asian nations might face similar challenges in the future. This article focuses on the 90th percentile age over time and advocates the importance of considering the relative position of age in society, rather than simply focusing on age alone. Additionally, it is recognized that individuals of the same chronological age can show significant variation in health, shaped by their life circumstances and lifestyles. As Japan leads in addressing aging-related issues, it plays a critical role in sharing its experiences. Because the health status of certain age groups in society varies from region to region and era to era, depending on the environment and culture, measures should be adapted to the realities of each society, with the cooperation of the international community to address shared challenges. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 837-854.

Keywords: 90th percentile age; Japan; Southeast Asia; aging; older adults.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Trend in the percentage of people aged ≥65 years. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Population pyramid: World. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Population pyramid: Brunei Darussalam. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Population pyramid: Cambodia. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Population pyramid: Indonesia. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Population pyramid: Laos. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Population pyramid: Malaysia. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Population pyramid: Myanmar. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Population pyramid: the Philippines. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Population pyramid: Singapore. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Population pyramid: Thailand. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Population pyramid: Timor‐Leste. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Population pyramid: Vietnam. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 14
Figure 14
Population pyramid: Japan. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 15
Figure 15
Trend in life expectancy at birth. Data from World Bank Group, DataBank, World Development Indicators. Last updated: 16 December 2024.
Figure 16
Figure 16
Trend in total fertility rate. Data from World Bank Group, DataBank, Gender Statistics. Last updated: 17 December 2024.
Figure 17
Figure 17
Trend in gross domestic product per capita, current prices. Data from International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database, October 2024.
Figure 18
Figure 18
Trend in the 90th percentile of age. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Figure 19
Figure 19
Trend in the percentage of people aged ≥65 years living alone. Data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). Database on the Households and Living Arrangements of Older Persons 2022 and Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions 2023 by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the Japanese Government.
Figure 20
Figure 20
Healthy life expectancy at age 60 years, life expectancy at age 60 years, typical retirement age and 90th percentile age by country. Data from World Health Organization, The Global Health Observatory; United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition. The Labor Ministry of Thailand plans to raise the retirement age for both private and government sectors to 65 years.
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