Over five millions of population in Myanmar is 60s

Over five millions of population in Myanmar is the aged 60 and over. Suitable employment opportunities and creating income sources are the basic rights of the elder, and these requirements must be fully implemented, according to the workshop on home care services for the aged of Help Age Korea held in Nay Pyi Taw at the end of May.

The basic rights of the senior citizens include the accesses to foods, clothes and shelters, healthcare services, proper jobs and income sources, social security, access to study, self-freedom and self-reliance, according to an observer.

Birth rates and life expectancy are on the rise across the world due to better healthcare services and lifestyles. Therefore, the number of older persons accounted for about 14 percent of the world’s population. Despite the number of the aged 60 and above was 500 million in 2006 across the world, and it is projected to reach 2,000 million by 2050, according to demographers.

Despite Myanmar has not experienced burgeoning population of the elderly yet, this situation is likely to occur in Myanmar soon. Other possible ways and means are to be sought in the drive in addition to traditional establishments of homes for the aged, according to a responsible person of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief & Resettlement.

The ratio of 59.3 million of total population to 5.23 million of the older persons in Myanmar stands at 11:1.  The number of helpless persons is approximately over 500 thousand in Myanmar, according to the figures of INGOs which surveyed appropriate plans to take care of the aged in the country.

“Appropriate jobs and income sources are essential requisites for the old persons. After fulfilling these requirements, they would be able to enjoy healthcare services, social welfare services, required education and self-reliance. Especially, senior citizens who are still healthy, and who can share their knowledge and experiences should be assigned at the suitable posts. Moreover, there are many old-age pensioners among 500 thousand old persons. The authorities should take into consideration over this case,” said a retired government employee who is now taking part in care services for the aged.

In Myanmar, 65 homes for the aged are sheltering 2,289 old persons, and 1,063 old persons are being taken care in 30 townships under home care services.