Ranks of ‘young once’ growing

THE PHILIPPINES may be known for its relatively young population, but the number of senior citizens will balloon to more than a tenth of the country’s residents by 2040, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) said in a commentary posted on its Web site yesterday.

Specifically, the number of those aged at least 60 years old is estimated to reach some 19.6 million in 29 years, from 6.4 million last year, NSCB Secretary General Romulo A. Virola wrote in his commentary, titled: “Seniors’ moments”.

“The share of seniors to total population has been steadily increasing over time, from 5.3% of the total population in 1980 to 6% in 2000 to 6.9% in 2011 to 13.8% in 2040,” Mr. Virola wrote.
By the end of the current administration in 2016, this proportion will rise to 7.8%, he added.
Likewise, Mr. Virola continued, the average age of the Filipinos has been increasing from 22.5 years in 1980 to 24.7 years in 2000 and to 26.6 years in 2011, to reach 33.3 years in 2040.

There are also relatively more female (54% of the total at 3.4 million) than male (46% or 2.9 million) senior citizens, he added.

Noting these projections, Mr. Virola said by phone yesterday that the government will have to respond by spending more for services for the “young once.”
“In terms of services, we should be ready to provide more caregivers, nursing homes, parks, libraries, employment that will allow our senior citizens to spend life in a dignified manner,” he said, admitting that government spending for this social segment will include increased subsidies. — N. M. Gonzales, Businessworld