Promoting Active Ageing in Southeast Asia

Ageing will be very fast in Southeast Asia and most ASEAN countries have a very large share of informal employment. Promoting active ageing aims to ensure that older people can age healthily and independently and avoid feeling insecure, in particular in terms of income. This could be achieved by putting into action policies that foster the well-being of older people through their participation in the labour market and their engagement in various aspects of life, such as volunteering. Key active ageing policies in the ten ASEAN countries should focus on: tackling labour market informality; reducing gender inequalities in old age and improving care provision; providing inclusive access to health care; enhancing social protection in old age; and, promoting the social participation of older people. This report highlights the main measures to be taken in these five areas.