We have always looked up to Japan for its technological, industrial cultural and economic power.
But did you know that the country has been facing a nagging problem that has a serious implication on its economy and other social structures?
A recent VISUAL CAPITALIST report highlighted this concern. In the platform’s infographic (shown on the right), Japan ranks second among the nations of the world with the highest rate of seniors, second only to Monaco.
Almost one-third of Japan’s population is aged 65+, the number representing 30% of its total number of people, or almost 37 million, with Monaco having a 36.8 rate, or about 14,000 of the small nation’s population.
The World Economic Forum describes the Japanese situation as one with a “profound impact on the country’s economy, workforce and society.”
This demographic phenomenon poses a significant burden on, among others, the economic welfare of the country as well as on its health care system and social services.
Experts explain that an aging population’s built-in economic impact constricts the labor force, thus productivity is reduced. At the same time, it adds up to the country’s financial obligations due to increased fiscal pressure on pension and related funds.
Filipinos may think, there are problems far greater now than ageism as the figures in the country are presently locked in the lower levels – at about 5.5 percent, or about 6.38 million of our countrymen. In a matter of few decades, the trend will be a here-and-now reality, too.
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The only other Asian country included in the VC Top 20 list is Hong Kong (No. 13), which ranks behind – after Monaco and Japan – Martinique, Puerto Rico, Italy, Montserrat, Portugal, Guadeloupe, Greece, Finland, Isle of Man and Germany.
The list shows Hong Kong having a 1.8 million elderly persons, or almost 24% of the total population.
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Personally, I got wind of the concern on ageism issues, particularly those related to Hong Kong, from my friend, Chloe Siu, a senior lecturer at the School of Graduate Studies and Institute if Policy Studies at Lingnan University. I met Professor Chloe during several international Service-Learning conferences I attended which Lingnan hosted.
She has since then very involved in city-wide programs designed to promote awareness and support programs advancing the interest of elderly persons.
In her social media post last week, Chloe continued to spread the aging population concerns with her talk in another university on elder empowerment and policy on senior citizens.
She also covered the related concern on gerontechnology, which is an interdisciplinary field combining gerontology, the study of aging, with technology to improve the lives of aging persons.
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The reality of the fast- growing rate of ageism in the world, was apparently a reason behind the theme of the World Population Day, which was observed in July 11.
The observance focused on the theme, “Empowering Youth to Build the Families They Want”.
While the theme pointed to the fact that the trend on population collapse is due to global fertility rate decrease, I’d like to believe also that the big number of people heading toward or already in their sunset years has largely affected the global demographic profile.
Factored into the perception related to fertility rates are the effects of urbanization and migration, which are considered to have far-ranging effects on human and community life.
“Let us stand with young people and build a future where every person can shape their destiny in a world that is fair, peaceful and full of hope,” said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in his message for the July 11 celebration. The UN Secretary General’s statement, indeed, brings an encouraging ray of hope amidst the flickerings associated with sunset years.
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Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:4) | NWI
