9 - POLICY IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary

It was stressed in the early part of this report that ageing is a gradual process, and that by the end of the century (fifteen years from now) only Singapore and the non-Malay population of Malaysia will be reaching levels of ageing comparable to those of the least aged Western countries today. The other ASEAN countries will be ageing only gradually, although the absolute numbers of aged will be increasing very rapidly and their ageing process will accelerate in the early decades of the twentyfirst century.

Ageing, therefore, should not be considered an unmanageable process, particularly in view of the fact that overall dependency ratios will be falling in ASEAN countries, even though the aged dependency ratio will be increasing. A positive emphasis on harnessing the potential of old people to assist in development and community welfare is more appropriate than stressing the burdens imposed by an ageing population.

It cannot be denied, however, that ageing takes on some problematic dimensions in the context of social and economic trends in the region. The most basic dilemma is to decide, in a context of scarce resources and government dedication to the goal of raising rates of economic growth in the interests of the community as a whole, how many resources should be devoted to a group who cannot be viewed as human capital for development, as their working and childrearing life has largely ended.

The most worrisome problems facing the elderly in the region appear to be ill health and financial difficulties, with loneliness a problem faced by many. These are the problems, then, that public policy must seek to address.

Cultural preference as well as budgetary limitations in most ASEAN countries ensure that care of the elderly (both financial and material) will be left largely in the hands of families.