How Hong Kong can make its ageing society an ‘age-friendly society’ that benefits everyone
Paul Yip and Asghar Zaidi say that with Hong Kong’s 65 and older population set to double over the next 25 years, investments in health care, education, job training, fair wages and an efficient retirement system are necessary to care for the elderly while benefiting the young
The popular HK$2 public transport subsidy scheme, for example, is estimated to cost the government another HK$1.2 billion this year. Institutional care support for older adults, meanwhile, is insufficient. What is available is mostly expensive.
Such social protection measures naturally have a bias towards the elderly, and are therefore considered “aged-friendly” but not necessarily beneficial for younger people. An age-friendly society is a community in which everyone (young, and not so young alike) can live, work and enjoy living there.
In fact, the classifications of “young” and “old” based on age has become less meaningful. The generation presently aged 65-plus may well be in shape as good as those aged 50 in last two decades.
Life expectancy in Hong Kong has been continuously improving for both men and women, presently at 83 and 87, respectively. If someone retires at 60 or 65, they still have many years ahead of them, so it is important to ensure individuals at different stages of life can be helped and are able to develop to their fullest potential.
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It is understandable that an ageing society causes concern and there are many fears about its negative impact on economic growth and the sustainability of pension systems.
Sources: Kinella and Gist 1995; US Census bureau, international database, 2017 release; 2017 national population projection
Hence it is not only the magnitude but the rate of change that matters. We do not have much time to make preparations to respond to the rapidly changing environment.
To be age-friendly, we need to adopt a holistic approach to life to ensure the wellness of the population at every stage.
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These measures for different age groups are interconnected and dependent. For example, good education and training is still the most effective way to alleviate poverty. A good health care system and work environment ensures our working population stays healthy and productive. In this way, age-friendly policies can be integrated, providing a holistic approach for the whole of society.
We need to create an environment where people can realise their fullest potential for their own well-being and the betterment of society as a whole. We need to build up our human capital pool to be innovative. We need to broaden our horizons, to be inclusive and build a strong community network to help each other.
Everyone can contribute in an age-friendly society. And, in achieving this, the burden on government can be reduced and everyone would be happier.
Paul Yip is chair professor in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong. Asghar Zaidi is a visiting professor of the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE), at the London School of Economics and Political Science