A shift in worldwide population ageing demographics has occurred in the 21st century. The longevity miracle is most keenly felt in Singapore, a young nation which gained its independence only in 1965, but has one of the fastest growing ageing populations in the world. It is estimated that by 2030, in 4 people in Singapore will be aged over 65 years. This will rise to almost 1 in 2 by 2050. Given the multitude of documented positive contributions the elderly can bring to society, this should be viewed positively and not as problematic. However, one cannot ignore the stark reality that this steep increase in the old-age dependency ratio (ratio of population aged 65 and over, to that aged 15–64 years), which was 21. in 2020 and is predicted to increase to 60. by 2050 in Singapore, will bring with it a dramatic increase in the incidence of age-related chronic non-communicable diseases in its wake.
This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” to view the full article.
