Bangladesh population aged 60 and older projected to exceed 50 million by 2050

Bangladesh’s population aged 60 and older is expected to exceed 50 million by 2050, social welfare and women and children affairs minister A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain said Wednesday.

Older people would account for more than 20% of Bangladesh’s population, compared with about 16 million, or 10%, currently, he said.

Speaking at a Department of Social Services discussion in Dhaka marking International Day of Older Persons, Zahid said average life expectancy could rise from 74.9 years to about 80 by 2050.

He said government allowances for disadvantaged people are insufficient and called for increases to help more senior citizens.

Zahid urged government and society to work together to ensure older people live healthy, secure, and dignified lives. He said government efforts alone cannot meet their growing welfare and health care needs.