Abstract
The elderly population is rising globally and similar trends are being observed not only in Asia but also in Pakistan. A developing country facing several challenges in the form of political in stability, lack of economic growth, low savings of the elderly, weak pension system, makes life challenging for the elderly. Geriatrics as a specialized area of medical training is neither recognized nor practiced in Pakistan. There is no widespread practice of health insurance coverage, hence, population relies on out of pocket expenditure for the treatment of all ailments. Pakistan’s demographic trends show that between 1990 till 2010, the population aged 60+ years increased by 75.1 %. It is projected that the life expectancy will increase to 72 years by 2023. WHO report (1998) projected that 5.6 % of Pakistan’s population was over 60 years of age, with a probability of doubling to 11 % by the year 2025. Hence, the country needs to develop a National health policy for the aging, which would assist in integrating the aging population and offer them better social security and health care.
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Jalal, S., Younis, M.Z. Aging and Elderly in Pakistan. Ageing Int 39, 4–12 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-012-9153-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-012-9153-4