Elderly population in Bangladesh: An analysis
Friday, 1 October 2010
K.M. Mustafizur Rahman
International Day of Older Persons -2010 is being observed today (October 1) throughout the world under the leadership of United Nations as well as in Bangladesh through different programmes to recognise the contribution of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives. The theme of this year's commemoration is "Older persons and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)". Although there is no universally accepted definition in most gerontological literature, people above 60 years of age are considered as 'old' and taken to be the 'elderly' segment of the population of a country. In Bangladesh, persons aged 60 or above are considered to be elderly. However, in reality people in this country become older even before the age of 60 because of poverty, physical hard work and, inability and illness due to malnutrition as well as for geographical condition.
The numerical growth of elderly persons around the world is an eloquent testimony not only of reductions in fertility but also of reduction in infant and maternal mortality, improved nutrition, reduction in infectious and parasitic diseases, as well as improvement in healthcare, education and income. Global total fertility rate has declined from 5.0 live births per woman in 1950-1955 to 2.7 live births per woman in 2000-2005 and is expected to further reduce to replacement level that is 2.2 live births per woman by 2045-2050 (UN, 2005). Also, life expectancy has increased from 46.5 years in 1950 to 66.0 years in 2000-2005, and is expected to rise to 76 years by the year 2045-2050. But with their rapid increase and under the condition of socio-economic transformation, the elderly population are experiencing a difficult time. Aging of population is gradually emerging as an issue not separate from social integration, gender advancement, economic stability or poverty. Demographically, population ageing is a global experience and Bangladesh is also not left untouched by this demographic reality.
The growing number of elderly population is a very common phenomenon worldwide. As the socio-economic impact of ageing population on the society is evident, it is important to consider not only the degree but also the pace of the changes in the age structure. In Bangladesh, 6.9 percent of its population was classified as elderly in 1950. The percentage of elderly population started to decline for next 55 years and this percentage of aged population of Bangladesh is projected to increase 8.0 percent by 2020, 11.9 percent by 2035 and 17.0 percent by 2050. During the last 50 years, the median age of the Bangladeshi population decreased by about 2 years from nearly 22 years in 1950 to nearly 20 years in 2000. But it is projected to increase almost by 15 years over the next half century i.e. from 2000 to 2050. The ageing index i.e. the ratio of the people aged 60 or over to children under 15 years of age might be about 5.7 times higher over the next half century i.e. between 2000 and 2050 for Bangladesh due to the growing number of older persons and reduction of young population. Also, the old-age dependency ratio will be almost triple from 5.4 to 16.2 in Bangladesh between 2000 and 2050.
The process of ageing in Bangladesh is taking place at a time when the pattern of life is changing, kinship bonds are weakening and family composition is undergoing a rapid transformation. In the patrilineal joint family, sons are expected to take care for and provide assistance to parents in old age but the traditional joint family structure in rural Bangladesh where majority of our elderly are living is breaking down over last few decades due to poverty, attitudes of self-interest, quarrels, maladjustment and so on and is gradually being replaced by nuclear families. Now-a-days, the younger people have to go out for work, which in also the indirect product of rapid urbanisation and industrial growth. Under these conditions, the elderly people are becoming isolated or alienated from their kindred and as a result of the elderly population left to live alone and to face socio-economic, health and emotional problems on their own. Also in labour market, because of their old age, they are likely to be out of market and hence become dependent on the earners in a household or their savings. Furthermore, because of their competition with younger worker, their chances to participate in the labour market are low. Under these circumstances, also the downturn of the economy throw the elderly population, particularly those who are from poor families into large scale social, health and economic insecurity. The elderly become mentally sick feeling unwanted by the society. They feel insecure due to lack of financial support either from the family or the state.
In Bangladesh, elderly population has become an important social concern, because like many other developing countries, there is no social security system. In view of the size of the population, scarcity of resources, existing poverty, insufficient health facilities and absence of social security, ageing is going to be a major problem in Bangladesh. The older persons in Bangladesh are still passing their days amidst the tender care and support mostly provided by their extended families without any remarkable backing from the state. Neither an inclusive conceptualization nor a comprehensive understanding in association with social security has been made in the national policy agenda of the country. However, the most basic and innovative policy for the poor older people in Bangladesh, the 'Old Age Allowance Programme' (Boyoshko Bhata Karmashuchi) was formulated in Fifth Five Year Plan (1997-2002). The goal of this policy is in accordance with the goal of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) as well as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), where sustainable improvement in health, nutrition and family welfare status of the people, particularly of the poor and vulnerable groups including women, child and the elderly were addressed along with their economic and social emancipation.
In 1999, the government introduced monthly old-age allowance of Tk. 100 per head for the distressed elderly persons. It was later raised to Tk. 300. The allowances are being given to 2.25 million elderly persons throughout the country. But the selection process of the elderly for the old age allowance is not so clear yet as expected. Lack of accountability, proper monitoring system also the transparency and nepotism of the local government authority make it difficult to proper implementation of this process. Again the formal pensioner, retired government service holders, constitutes only a negligible fraction of the total population. As a least developed country, Bangladesh has made a considerable progress in poverty alleviation since its independence in 1971. However, progress in terms of welfare of the elderly people remain slower than expected.
Elderly people are the asset of any nation. They have experience, wisdom and knowledge, which can be used for the national reconstruction. It is the responsibility of everyone to take care of our national asset and utilize their experience. They should not be treated as dysfunctional. It is the process of life. We will be aged, if we live longer. We want to live in peace and harmony when we become aged. From the foregoing discussion, it has been observed that even though Bangladesh is experiencing the increasing trend of elderly population, but it will be difficult to manage this situation unless the efforts are accelerated.
Nevertheless, Bangladesh can still handle the situation of elderly population by establishing an effective referral system, combating poverty, ensuring quality healthcare, accelerating implementation of nutrition programme, fulfilling the provision of basic necessities as stated in the constitution, Article, 15 and last but not the least by achieving MDG targets. Let the nation come forward for the well being of our respected senior citizens of Bangladesh.
The writer is a researcher at Unnayan Onneshan, a policy research organization based in Dhaka. He can be reached at e-mail: mustafiz.rahman@unnayan.org
International Day of Older Persons -2010 is being observed today (October 1) throughout the world under the leadership of United Nations as well as in Bangladesh through different programmes to recognise the contribution of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives. The theme of this year's commemoration is "Older persons and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)". Although there is no universally accepted definition in most gerontological literature, people above 60 years of age are considered as 'old' and taken to be the 'elderly' segment of the population of a country. In Bangladesh, persons aged 60 or above are considered to be elderly. However, in reality people in this country become older even before the age of 60 because of poverty, physical hard work and, inability and illness due to malnutrition as well as for geographical condition.
The numerical growth of elderly persons around the world is an eloquent testimony not only of reductions in fertility but also of reduction in infant and maternal mortality, improved nutrition, reduction in infectious and parasitic diseases, as well as improvement in healthcare, education and income. Global total fertility rate has declined from 5.0 live births per woman in 1950-1955 to 2.7 live births per woman in 2000-2005 and is expected to further reduce to replacement level that is 2.2 live births per woman by 2045-2050 (UN, 2005). Also, life expectancy has increased from 46.5 years in 1950 to 66.0 years in 2000-2005, and is expected to rise to 76 years by the year 2045-2050. But with their rapid increase and under the condition of socio-economic transformation, the elderly population are experiencing a difficult time. Aging of population is gradually emerging as an issue not separate from social integration, gender advancement, economic stability or poverty. Demographically, population ageing is a global experience and Bangladesh is also not left untouched by this demographic reality.
The growing number of elderly population is a very common phenomenon worldwide. As the socio-economic impact of ageing population on the society is evident, it is important to consider not only the degree but also the pace of the changes in the age structure. In Bangladesh, 6.9 percent of its population was classified as elderly in 1950. The percentage of elderly population started to decline for next 55 years and this percentage of aged population of Bangladesh is projected to increase 8.0 percent by 2020, 11.9 percent by 2035 and 17.0 percent by 2050. During the last 50 years, the median age of the Bangladeshi population decreased by about 2 years from nearly 22 years in 1950 to nearly 20 years in 2000. But it is projected to increase almost by 15 years over the next half century i.e. from 2000 to 2050. The ageing index i.e. the ratio of the people aged 60 or over to children under 15 years of age might be about 5.7 times higher over the next half century i.e. between 2000 and 2050 for Bangladesh due to the growing number of older persons and reduction of young population. Also, the old-age dependency ratio will be almost triple from 5.4 to 16.2 in Bangladesh between 2000 and 2050.
The process of ageing in Bangladesh is taking place at a time when the pattern of life is changing, kinship bonds are weakening and family composition is undergoing a rapid transformation. In the patrilineal joint family, sons are expected to take care for and provide assistance to parents in old age but the traditional joint family structure in rural Bangladesh where majority of our elderly are living is breaking down over last few decades due to poverty, attitudes of self-interest, quarrels, maladjustment and so on and is gradually being replaced by nuclear families. Now-a-days, the younger people have to go out for work, which in also the indirect product of rapid urbanisation and industrial growth. Under these conditions, the elderly people are becoming isolated or alienated from their kindred and as a result of the elderly population left to live alone and to face socio-economic, health and emotional problems on their own. Also in labour market, because of their old age, they are likely to be out of market and hence become dependent on the earners in a household or their savings. Furthermore, because of their competition with younger worker, their chances to participate in the labour market are low. Under these circumstances, also the downturn of the economy throw the elderly population, particularly those who are from poor families into large scale social, health and economic insecurity. The elderly become mentally sick feeling unwanted by the society. They feel insecure due to lack of financial support either from the family or the state.
In Bangladesh, elderly population has become an important social concern, because like many other developing countries, there is no social security system. In view of the size of the population, scarcity of resources, existing poverty, insufficient health facilities and absence of social security, ageing is going to be a major problem in Bangladesh. The older persons in Bangladesh are still passing their days amidst the tender care and support mostly provided by their extended families without any remarkable backing from the state. Neither an inclusive conceptualization nor a comprehensive understanding in association with social security has been made in the national policy agenda of the country. However, the most basic and innovative policy for the poor older people in Bangladesh, the 'Old Age Allowance Programme' (Boyoshko Bhata Karmashuchi) was formulated in Fifth Five Year Plan (1997-2002). The goal of this policy is in accordance with the goal of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) as well as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), where sustainable improvement in health, nutrition and family welfare status of the people, particularly of the poor and vulnerable groups including women, child and the elderly were addressed along with their economic and social emancipation.
In 1999, the government introduced monthly old-age allowance of Tk. 100 per head for the distressed elderly persons. It was later raised to Tk. 300. The allowances are being given to 2.25 million elderly persons throughout the country. But the selection process of the elderly for the old age allowance is not so clear yet as expected. Lack of accountability, proper monitoring system also the transparency and nepotism of the local government authority make it difficult to proper implementation of this process. Again the formal pensioner, retired government service holders, constitutes only a negligible fraction of the total population. As a least developed country, Bangladesh has made a considerable progress in poverty alleviation since its independence in 1971. However, progress in terms of welfare of the elderly people remain slower than expected.
Elderly people are the asset of any nation. They have experience, wisdom and knowledge, which can be used for the national reconstruction. It is the responsibility of everyone to take care of our national asset and utilize their experience. They should not be treated as dysfunctional. It is the process of life. We will be aged, if we live longer. We want to live in peace and harmony when we become aged. From the foregoing discussion, it has been observed that even though Bangladesh is experiencing the increasing trend of elderly population, but it will be difficult to manage this situation unless the efforts are accelerated.
Nevertheless, Bangladesh can still handle the situation of elderly population by establishing an effective referral system, combating poverty, ensuring quality healthcare, accelerating implementation of nutrition programme, fulfilling the provision of basic necessities as stated in the constitution, Article, 15 and last but not the least by achieving MDG targets. Let the nation come forward for the well being of our respected senior citizens of Bangladesh.
The writer is a researcher at Unnayan Onneshan, a policy research organization based in Dhaka. He can be reached at e-mail: mustafiz.rahman@unnayan.org