This document discusses population aging in the ESCWA region. It finds that total fertility rates have declined while life expectancy has increased dramatically from 1950 to 2050. Currently, the percentage of those aged 65 and over is highest in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and lowest in Somalia, Yemen, Palestine and Comoros. The document outlines key government measures taken to implement the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging (MIPAA), including establishing national committees, policies, plans of action, and increasing health services and programs for older populations. However, challenges remain regarding social vulnerabilities from low education and gender disparities, as well as economic issues of poverty and lack of pensions. Future priorities include developing supportive environments that promote independent living and

1. 1
Francois Farah
Chief,
Social Development Division
Committee on Social Development
New York, February 2008
Population Ageing
in the ESCWA Region

2. 2
1. Current Situation and
Major findings

3. 3
1950 2000 2050
Total Fertility Rate 7.0 4.2 2.2
Crude death rate per 1000 24.3 7.1 7.1
Life Expectancy at Birth 42.7 66.5 76.9
Percentage of the elderly (>65
years)
- 3.5% 6.5%
Number of Population (1000) - 300 165 631 218
Number of elderly (millions) - 10 40
Demographic changes in the Arab
World

4. 4Percentage of population aged 65 and above in Arab
Countries, 2005
2005
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
UAE
Q
atar
Kuwait
Yem
en
O
m
an
Som
alia
Com
oros
Iraq
KSA
Djibouti
Bahrain
Palestine
Jordan
Syria
Sudan
M
auritania
Libya
Algeria
Egypt
M
orocco
Tunisia
Lebanon
Countries
Percentageofpopulation65+
2005
>6%
3-5%
<3%
Source: Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, World Population Prospects: The 2006 Revision and
World Urbanization Prospects: The 2005 Revision, http://esa.un.org/unpp,

5. 5
• For the period 2000-2050, the rate of growth of the
population aged 65+ has been projected at 4 -5 per cent, with
an average annual growth rate of the oldest old (aged 80+)
estimated to exceed 5 per cent in 11 Arab countries, including
Kuwait and Qatar both at rates of more than 7 per cent.

6. 6
0
5
10
15
20
25
S
om
alia
Y
em
en
Palestine
C
om
oros
Iraq
D
jibouti
S
udan
M
auritania
K
SA
E
gypt
Jordan
S
yria
O
m
an
M
orocco
Q
atar
A
lgeria
Libya
Lebanon
U
A
E
B
ahrain
K
uw
ait
Tunisia
Countries
Percentageofpopulation65+
2005
2050
Percentage of population aged 65 & above in Arab Countries
2005&2050
>15%
7-15%
<7%
Source: Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, World Population Prospects: The 2006 Revision and
World Urbanization Prospects: The 2005 Revision, http://esa.un.org/unpp,

7. 7
1980 2000 2020
Percentage of population
aged between 64-25
32.9 37.9 45.0
Elderly dependency ratio
6.4 6.2 7.8
Total dependency ratio
90.9 71.5 58.4
Demographic changes in the Arab World

8. 8
The MIPAA Review: Typical Characteristic
The family has been the main source of support for older Arabs.
The number of institutionalised older adults remains low in most
countries.
However
Social changes brought about by modernization, decades of
migration in the majority of countries, with the exacerbation of
political violence in others, the family role may no longer be
taken for granted in the near future.

9. 9
2. Major Achievements

10. 10
Government Measures in the
implementation of MIPAA
 Setting-up of National Committees
In most cases, these national committees comprise
representatives from the private and public sectors,
and are usually headed by the minister of social affairs
of member countries.

11. 11
 Formulation of: national policy, national plans of action,
legislation
» Five countries have completed formulation of national
policy: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Syria. Lebanon is
in the process of elaborating an integrated social plan of
action.
» In many countries, existing general policies & programmes
often cover uncoordinated plans, activities & projects that
target old age. In general, providing care for older persons
continues to adopt a welfare-based and service-oriented
approach rather than a developmental, human rights and/or
participatory approach.
Government measures in the
implementation of MIPAA

12. 12
 (1) Programmes and Services
» In many countries, health services have witnessed an
increase in the number of specialized centers, day
care centers, & mobile clinics, particularly in GCC
countries
» Some countries, such as Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon,
have included geriatrics in medical faculties, &
studies on ageing issues at schools & universities.
Government measures in the
implementation of MIPAA

13. 13
 Programmes & Services (2)
» Some countries have introduced the ‘family welfare
programme’, & specialized ‘broadcast channels’ to bridge inter-
generational gaps.
» Utilizing the capabilities of older persons in, for example,
tutoring students or teaching in eradication of elitracy classes,
example: Egypt.
» Implementing initiatives towards productive ageing, including
granting of prizes to older persons who sustain being
productive, such as in Egypt 7 Qatar.
» Training of concerned personnel, & provision of brochures &
manuals for workers in the field of health care.
Government measures in the
implementation of MIPAA

14. 14
 Programmes & Services (3)
» Training ageing persons themselves on handicrafts and
productive skills as a mean to raise money & address & cope
with problems that are old age-related.
» Commemorating the annual International Day and/or the
National Day of Older Persons has become a major national
venue for raising awareness regarding ageing issues/ establishing
broadcast channels for the elderly/ enhancing publishing of
articles & TV programmes.
» Some countries have initiated sports programmes /activities
within the elderly clubs.
» In several GCC countries, widowed & divorced elderly are
provided with financial help by the government.
Government measures in the
Implementation of MIPAA

15. 15
 National reports and needs assessment studies
» Most countries have started to prepare national reports on
the situation of their elderly population.
» Many countries have established relevant database &
conducted needs assessment studies.
» Saudi Arabia National Plan of Action includes
establishing a registry/database on older persons.
Government measures in the
implementation of MIPAA

16. 16
3. Challenges

17. 17
The current generation of older persons in most Arab
countries exhibits certain social and economic
vulnerabilities that have important implications for their
health care.
 Social Challenges
 Economic Challenges
 Health Challenges
Challenges facing the older population in
Arab countries

18. 18
Education indicators
» Low education levels of older people
» Wide disparity among Arab countries regarding level
of education, reflecting illiteracy rates at 95% in
Yemen, 40% in Jordan
Gender Disparity
» Wide disparity between the educational levels of men
and women.
Social Challenges

19. 19
As a result of modernization and changing life style,
family members no longer provide care for their frail
elderly, particularly those with special needs.
High percentage of widowhood leads to increase in the
number of female-headed families. Elderly women
living alone amount to 20%. This generates loss of
social status and causes vulnerability and many
psychological & health problems.
Social Challenges

20. 20
Due to the absence or small old-age pensions the majority
of older men continue to work after the legal age of
retirement (a substantial per cent of men in Yemen continue
to work beyond age 80 years – 21%, in Lebanon & Jordan
11-14%)
The vast majority of Arab women do not work in the formal
sector, their contribution is limited to the informal sector.
Consequently older women are dependent upon the benefits
of the breadwinner, when available.
Economic Challenges

21. 21
» High levels of chronic diseases, comparable in some
countries, such as Kuwait, Jordan & Lebanon to those
found in developed countries. In other countries, mainly
Arab African countries, communicable & infectious
diseases prevail.
» High prevalence of difficulties in activities of daily living
being reported in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia
(varying between 25% & 38%).
» Lack of qualified cadre and geriatric specialists
» Inaccessibility or unavailability of specialized home
services, and total lack of social or economic support to
the family.
Health Challenges

22. 22
» Ageing should be considered as a serious challenge.
Countries, policy makers, civil society and individuals in
the region ought to focus on integrated social policy and
address ageing-related issues within the approach of: “A
Society for all ages”.
» Sharing the responsibility is essential. A multi-sectoral
approach, securing the active participation of all partners
(individuals/family/civil society/NGOs) should be based on
the concept of: “Life-cycle approach”
Towards successful ageing

23. 23
4. Future priorities for action in the
region

24. 24
Enabling and Supportive Environment
Goal
A supportive environment promotes social integration and
autonomous ageing and contributes to development.
Underpinning issues in the Arab countries
» Lack of a clear plan on how to accommodate the specific
characteristics and needs of older persons for them to be able
to live independently and move around autonomously.
» Compared to older persons in urban areas, those living in rural
remote areas in Arab countries are likely to be at a greater
disadvantage.
» Shrinking/diminishing financial ability of families to sustain
their economic support to their elderly .

25. 25
Active Participation of population ageing
in Development
Goal
Active participation of older people in all aspects of the
development process is essential to the policy making
process and to successful ageing. It also limits
marginalization, promotes empowerment and increases
ownership and inclusion in the shaping of practice.
“Nothing about us without us” – Help The Aged, UK

26. 26
Active Participation of population ageing
in Development
Underpinning issues in the Arab countries
» Public participation and legislative representation of older
persons appear to be related more to the position of the older
persons – often associated with economic and political power,
than to institutionalized policy structures and processes.
» Relatives tend to adopt a paternalistic approach and replace
older persons in assuming responsibility for several familial
decisions, including health-related matters concerning the older
persons themselves.
» Prevailing negative stereotypes about ageing and older persons
as frail dependent members, coupled with the lack of
associations that represent their interests/needs.

27. 27
Two essential points
Sharing responsibility between:
The individual (life style)
A society for All Ages
Integrating ageing-related issues in development plans for all
ages (upgrading education, nutrition, healthy life style,
job/economic opportunities in younger years would lead to
better quality of life during ageing.

28. 28
5. Cooperation by the UN system to
assist Member States in
implementing the Plan of Action

29. 29
The Way Forward
The UN to join efforts to ensure that all sectors and partners
undertake their responsibilities in coordination.
The UN system is called upon to promote an integrated
social policy, premised on equity, equal opportunity and
intergenerational solidarity and human-rights.
Policies should aim at:
Providing adequate social security and health care in old
age,
Enabling older people to remain active and to live
independently in their own communities

30. 30
The Way Forward
The UN should uphold and facilitate the setting of
a social support system, formal and informal
Enhancing the abilities of the family to take care
of older persons within the family environment.
Promoting active participation and mainstreaming
aging policies in development
Generating research and data for the benefit of
evidence-based policies/programme.

31. 31
Resources
Needs
Resources
Demographic dynamics &
epidemiological change
Social & economic
characteristics Life-cycle
approach
Formal
sector
NGOs
FamilyFamily
supportsupport
systemsystem
Needs

32. 32
Thank you