UNFPA official: Asia-Pacific needs life-cycle approach for aging

People in the Asian-Pacific region are living longer due to comprehensive social development, while the challenges of the aging population have grown. One in four people will be above the age of 60 by 2050.

Therefore, the United Nations Population Fund has advocated a life-cycle approach, according to Bj?rn Andersson, Asia-Pacific regional director of the UN Population Fund.

Andersson said the life-cycle method requires investing in every stage of a person’s life for aging with dignity.

Meanwhile, Andersson emphasized the importance of promoting gender equality because letting women, who remain at social disadvantages and are the majority of the elder population, have safe birth-giving, qualify education, equal work chance and body autonomy will benefit not only the female but also the society.

"We must work together," Andersson added, "there is little time to lose."