The aged in the world's constitutions

This article presents a review of legal provisions benefitting the elderly as anchored in the constitutions of countries around the globe. While it is of interest to examine the sheer range of such provisions, it is also possible to gauge from the comparison whether the presence of constitutional guarantees is connected with levels of economic development, conditions of population aging, or other differences among nations. A cross-check with the institutionalization of social security systems is included in the analysis. The results allow an assessment of major differences by world regions, an appraisal of unique cases, and an appreciation of where nations stand today in formulating guarantees and policies regarding the elderly.