The 2025 United Nations International Day of Older Persons was observed throughout the world yesterday.
With the theme “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights”, the day focused on the transformative role old people played in building resilient and equitable societies.
It supports the idea that our seniors are not just passive beneficiaries and welfare recipients. They drive progress and contribute to financial well-being, community resilience and human rights advocacy, among others.
According to United Nations records, the number of older people (defined as those aged 65 years or older) tripled from around 260 million in 1980 to 761 million in 2021.
Between 2021 and 2050, the global share of the older population is projected to increase from less than 10 per cent to around 17 per cent.
Rapid growth in the number of people reaching older ages underscores the significance of promoting health, and preventing and treating illnesses throughout the entire course of life.
“In societies with aging populations, it becomes imperative to adjust to the increasing number of elderly individuals who possess a diverse range of functional capacities,” says UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres in his October 1 address.
“The capability to carry out essential functions and partake in everyday activities is influenced not solely by an individual’s inherent capacity but also by the social and physical environments in which they reside.”
There is no arguing a supportive environment plays a key role in assisting older individuals to live in dignity and maintain their independence as they age.
Why? Because ageing is a natural process in life that every human must go through. Nobody is going to be youthful and full of vitality throughout life.
Everybody was a child once and during those formative years of development and growth, parents cared for and fed the family.
Every young person needs to accept the fact that parents would also become senior citizens one day and have ailing health, become weak, infirm and financially dependent, and therefore need care and respect.
Many times elderly people are not given the place they deserve in their own homes and communities in Fiji – they very places where they should be loved.
Instead, very often they are taken to old people’s homes to spend their twilight years in isolation – out of sight, out of mind and forgotten.
Sometimes living in a geriatric facility is the best option but for those who can offer care, please take care of your senior citizens. Show them compassion in a home where they once brought the family up with compassion.
The 2025 theme directly reflects these principles by recognising older persons as drivers of progress at both local and global levels.
In April 2025, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 58/13, supported by 81 Member States, to establish an open-ended working group tasked with drafting a legally binding instrument to promote and protect the human rights of older persons.
In Fiji, the National Policy on Ageing (2011-2015), provided the first real push to create a conducive and supportive environment in the care and welfare of our old people.
In 2012, the Fiji Government passed the National Council for Older Persons Act.
Through this Act, Government has established the National Council of Older Persons whose role is to strengthen the partnership and collaboration between the Government, families, community based organisations, traditional village communities, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations and the private sector.
But demographic shifts are making action more urgent than ever.
The UN says older persons are a rapidly growing segment of society and policies that “empower older persons, ensure equitable access to healthcare and social protection, and eliminate discrimination” are crucial.
“By amplifying the voices of older persons and recognising their contributions, the 2025 International Day serves as a platform for older persons to voice their aspirations, advocate for their rights, and call for policies that ensure their dignity and well-being,” the UN says.
In 2007, 7.5 per cent of the population was over the age of 60 years, in 2017, the proportion grew to 9.1 percent. Fiji’s elderly population is slowly growing older.
Many of them become victims of abuse, poverty, suicide and crime. Last year, there were 1,945 cases of crimes committed against senior citizens, 62 per cent of which were related to property theft.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, believes the UN Day could bring the issue of older persons to national attention and ensure they received the services they deserved.
“We hope through this awareness we can bring the issue of older persons to national attention and ensure they receive the services they deserve.”
In Parliament yesterday, Ms Kiran urged the nation to honour its elders.
“Aging is not a burden; it is a triumph,” she said.
“Our elders embody wisdom, resilience, and perseverance. It is our duty to ensure their twilight years are filled with honor, comfort, and care.”
Did you know?
n The number of people aged 60 years or over has more than doubled, from around 541 million in 1995 to 1.2 billion in 2025;
n The elderly population is projected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050;
n By 2080 people aged 65 or older will outnumber children under 18;
n Global life expectancy has reached 73.5 years in 2025, an increase of 8.6 years since 1995. The number of persons aged 80 years or over is growing even faster and is projected to surpass the number of infants by the mid-2030s and reach 265 million;
m As populations age, the demand for healthcare and social support has surged, especially for those with conditions like dementia, a major cause of dependency and disability in older adults. Specialised care is now essential to meet these growing needs; and
m Women, who comprise most care recipients and caregivers, contribute roughly 70 per cent of global informal care hours. This is especially true in low- and middle-income countries with limited care services, making women more vulnerable to poverty in old age. (UN Statistics).
