Ageing Trends

Singapore has one of the fastest ageing populations in Asia, the result of longer life expectancy and a low birth rate. Between now and 2030, Singapore will witness an unprecedented profound age shift in its population, and this coming surge of seniors will have a tremendous impact on all aspects of Singapore society.

Percentage of resident population aged 65 years and above (Source: Dept of Statistics)

In 1970, 1 in 30 Singapore residents was aged 65 years or older. In 2006, the figure was 1 in 12, and in 2030, it will be a staggering 1 in 5.

The “baby boomers” – those born between 1947 and 1964 – represent the leading edge of this coming age wave. As they “come of age”, Singaporeans – young and old – need to discard conventional negative stereotypes of older persons and embrace the notion that seniors can – and ought to – live in a meaningful and purposeful manner, as much connected to mainstream society as their younger counterparts.