Govts struggle to cope as elderly outnumber children

In the next few decades there will be more senior citizens in the world than children, according to United Nations projections.

The UN World Assembly on Ageing, which opens tomorrow, hails the "revolution in longevity" as a triumph of 20th century advances in medicine, technology and human development.

But such a seismic shift will also make unprecedented demands on society, ranging from ensuring adequate pensions, housing and health care to protecting the elderly from discrimination and abuse.

Delegates from 160 countries and international organisations are hoping to put the finishing touches this week on a plan to help governments prepare for the economic and social impact of a rapidly aging population.

"It is clear that we face a series of urgent and concrete problems," said UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who is to deliver the opening address.

Rather than just talk, Annan said he hoped delegates would leave with new and innovative ideas to deal with the challenges ahead so that older people can enjoy dignified and rewarding lives.

"They have a lot to contribute," said Annan, who turns 64 himself on Monday.

Globally, the population of people 60 and older is growing by 2% each year, considerably faster than the population as a whole, according to the latest UN statistics.

The most-developed countries already have a higher proportion of 60-and-overs than 15-and-unders, and the UN predicts the "historic reversal" will be global by 2050.

The United States and Europe are already looking for ways to keep retirement and health care systems afloat, and their struggles serve as a dire warning for places like Latin America and Africa, where the population is aging much faster.

"If this is a problem in developed countries, imagine what this means for poor countries," UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Nitin Desai, said at a news conference.