Abstract:

While the pace at which the world's population is aging varies among countries & regions, most developed & developing countries are or will soon be challenged by the increasing number of older, dependent individuals. By 2000, eg, 7.2% of the Latin American & Caribbean population will be elderly, & by 2025 this % will increase to 10.8%. Moreover, most elderly populations, predominantly women, are living in urban centers, thus constituting a dual problem of urbanization & poverty. As such, social policy development for the elderly needs to be critically examined by policy & decisionmakers in order for societies to adapt to aging as well as for the older population to adapt to a changing society. At present & in the foreseeable future, the major political challenge is the need for redistributive policies.