The Global AgeWatch Index ranks countries by how well their ageing populations are faring. It is based on four domains that are key enablers of older people’s wellbeing: income, health, employment and education, and enabling environment.
AgeWatch report card: Australia
Australia’s population is ageing. Total population at present is 23.1 million with individuals aged over 60 years totalling 4.5 million (or 20%). Further, 3.9% of our population is aged 80+ years and this is expected to increase to 8.5% of total population by 2050.
Australia ranks 14 in the Global AgeWatch Index. Although it scores highly in the health, and employment and education domains, it ranks lower on income security. For example nearly 36% of older people have an income less than half the country’s average income. Creating an enabling society for older people also remains a challenge, for example older people’s perception of physical safety and satisfaction with public transport is relatively low compared to its performance in the health and education and employment domains.
Source: http://www.helpage.org/global-agewatch/
Julie Bajic | Author | Trainer |Psychologist | Founder of Wise Care 