26
Jan

Aging is one of humanity’s greatest development stories. As populations worldwide enjoy unprecedented longevity and enter an era where adults in their fifties and sixties remain healthy and productive, societies are experiencing a profound demographic shift. This rapid aging, particularly in developing countries, challenges traditional health systems, social structures, and labor markets to adapt more swiftly than in the past. The need for strategic, proactive planning is urgent, as countries face compressed timelines for demographic transitions that once spanned generations. While these changes may strain resources and infrastructure, they also present significant opportunities—if harnessed well, the experience and vitality of older adults can become powerful engines for social and economic development.

To meet these challenges, health and social care systems must be reimagined with a clear focus on healthy aging, prioritizing the maintenance of functional ability and the delay of morbidity throughout the life course. Integrated, person-centered long-term care models are essential to support older adults, especially as care dependency arises. Global collaboration, knowledge sharing, and policy innovation highlighted by country experiences across geographies such as EAP (e.g., Thailand, Japan, China, Korea), ECA (e.g., Türkiye, Poland), LAC (e.g., Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Uruguay), MENA (e.g., Saudi Arabia, Morocco), SAR (e.g., India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka) are critical for developing sustainable approaches to healthy aging. By shifting the conversation and investing in systems that empower older adults to age with dignity in their communities, societies can turn the realities of aging into a foundation for progress and resilience.