1st October International Day of the Elderly
October 01, 2022
Every year on October 1st, the world observes International Day of Older Persons.
Important information
The International Day of Older Persons is observed annually to recognise the contributions of the elderly and to investigate the issues they face.
This year's International Day of Older Persons theme is "Resilience of Older People in a Changing World."
It recognises older people's resilience in the face of crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, a worsening climate crisis, conflicts, and rising poverty.
On this occasion, the Election Commission is honouring voters aged 100 and up who have voted since India's first general election.
Backstory
On December 14, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 1 as International Day of Older Persons. It arose as a result of the World Assembly on Aging's adoption of the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing in 1982. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons in 1991. The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing was adopted by the Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002 to respond to the opportunities and challenges facing the elderly population in the twenty-first century and to promote the inclusive development of a society for all ages.
People over the age of 65 all over the world
In 2019, there were 703 million people aged 65 and up worldwide. The most elderly people live in East and South East Asia, followed by Europe and North America. Over the next three decades, the global population of older people is expected to more than double, surpassing 1.5 million in 2050. Between 2019 and 2050, all regions of the world are expected to see an increase in the number of older people. Eastern and Southeastern Asia will see the greatest increase, reaching 573 million by 2050. Northern Africa and Western Asia will see the greatest increase in the number of elderly people.
