Bangladesh better for older people than India, Pakistan

Bangladesh has been ranked 67th for older people to live, according to the Global AgeWatch Index report.

It is ahead of India, Pakistan and Nepal in the ranking. Bangladesh ranks low overall on the index, at 67.

It ranks moderately in the enabling environment domain (41) due to high satisfaction of older people with safety (86%), public transport (69%) and civic freedom (70%), compared with regional averages (68%, 65% and 67% respectively).

It ranks low in the health domain (71) due to low life expectancy at 60 (18) and healthy life expectancy at 60 (13.8), compared to regional averages (19 and 14.8 respectively).

According to the report, among other South Asian countries India ranked 70, Pakistan 92 and Nepal 69. Sri Lanka has outperformed its South Asian neighbors at number 46.

Globally ranked 8th, Japan is the only Asian country that figures amongst the top ten countries favourable for growing old. With aging as a critical societal issue, Japan has prepared well for it.

Nursing homes, home helpers, welfare schemes for old, benefits for retirees, universal health insurance and social pensions  are some of the many measures in place in the country that contribute to the enabling environment for its aging population.

The Global AgeWatch Index 2015 by HelpAge International assessed 96 countries to determine the best places for older adults to live. These countries include more than 90 percent of the world’s population aged 60 and over. 

There are approximately 901 million people worldwide who are 60 and over and globally Switzerland is ranked the best country to live in if you're 60 or older.

Source: DataLEADS/ Asia News Network