MALAYSIA LIKELY TO REACH AGEING NATION STATUS BY 2035

KUANTAN (Malaysia), April 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is likely to reach an
ageing nation status by 2035 with the number of people above the age of 60
reaching 15 per cent of the population, an official said, citing a United
Nations' figure.

Welfare Department Deputy Director-General (Operation) Halijah Yahaya said
statistics showed that the percentage of ageing people in Malaysia was on the
increase.

"In 2000, the number of elderly people was 1.45 million or 6.2 per cent of
the total population but in 2009, the number increased to 2.03 million or 7.1
per cent of the total population," she said.

The United Nations categorises any country with 10 per cent of its
population above the age of 60 as an ageing nation.

Speaking at the opening of a seminar on caring society here Tuesday, Halijah
said the main factor contributing to the country's ageing population was the
decline in fertility and increase in life expectancy, which currently stands at
71.4 years for men and 76.2 for women.

"The government should therefore view seriously the ageing rate among the
population especially because old people have their own requirements," she said.

On the seminar, Halijah said it was aimed at inculcating noble values among
the people and strengthening the bonds between the older and younger
generations.

-- BERNAMA