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Multidimensional comparison of countries' adaptation to societal aging
Cynthia Chen1, Dana P Goldman2, Julie Zissimopoulos3
1Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549.
Summary
Countries vary in adapting to aging societies. A new multidimensional Aging Society Index reveals Norway and Sweden lead, while Central and Eastern European nations lag, highlighting diverse challenges and opportunities for successful aging policies.
Area of Science:
- Demography and Gerontology
- Public Policy and Social Sciences
Background:
- Global aging societies are emerging due to increased life expectancy and changing fertility rates.
- Existing preparedness assessments for aging societies primarily focus on economic indicators, neglecting social and policy dimensions.
- Adaptation to demographic shifts presents significant financial and social risks for nations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a multidimensional Aging Society Index to assess countries' adaptation to aging populations.
- To evaluate the status of older populations across five key domains: productivity and engagement, well-being, equity, economic and physical security, and intergenerational cohesion.
- To identify variations in adaptation strategies and outcomes among developed countries.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and other relevant sources.
- Constructed a multidimensional Aging Society Index covering five distinct domains.
- Analyzed the index scores for 18 OECD countries to assess their progress in adapting to aging societies.
Main Results:
- Significant diversity exists in countries' adaptation levels to aging, with wide variations both across countries and across domains within countries.
- Norway and Sweden achieved the highest rankings, followed by the United States, The Netherlands, and Japan.
- Central and Eastern European countries were found at the lower end of the rankings, indicating substantial potential for improvement.
Conclusions:
- A multidimensional approach is crucial for understanding and addressing the complexities of aging societies.
- The Aging Society Index can inform policy development and evaluate program effectiveness for successful adaptation to demographic transitions.
- Targeted interventions are needed, particularly in areas like equity, to foster successful aging across diverse national contexts.