Ageing
OECD, World Health Organization
Abstract
Population ageing is characterised by a rise in the share of the older people resulting from longer life expectancy (see indicator “Life expectancy at birth and survival rate to age 65” in Chapter 3) and declining fertility rates. In Asia-Pacific countries, since 2000, life expectancy has increased by about 6 years in low and lower-middle income countries and by 4 years in upper-middle and high income counties. During the same period, fertility has decreased from 2.6 children per woman of reproductive age, to the population replacement level of 2.1. This has been mainly due to better access to reproductive health care, primarily a wider use of contraceptives (see indicator “Family planning” in Chapter 4). Population ageing reflects the success of health and development policies over the last few decades.