Translated with AI
In 2025, the world will see aging in a new light: older people are seen not as passive recipients of care, but as active participants in society. They contribute to healthcare, community resilience, financial stability, and the protection of human rights—and this contribution is becoming increasingly visible every year, according to the UN press service.
The International Day of Older Persons, established by the UN in 1990 and celebrated on October 1, provides a platform for older people to express their opinions, defend their rights, and call for change. But the road to this day has been long: from the 1982 Vienna Plan of Action to the 1991 UN Principles and the 2002 Madrid Plan.
For over two decades, international documents such as the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing have provided guidance for building a society inclusive of all ages. In 2025, these principles have taken on new resonance: the year's theme emphasizes the role of older people as drivers of progress.
In developing countries, older adults are one of the fastest-growing segments of the population. Policies aimed at expanding their rights, access to healthcare and social protection, and combating discrimination are becoming key to sustainable development.
The numbers speak for themselves: since 1980, the number of people over 65 has tripled, from 260 million to 761 million. By 2050, their share of the global population will reach 17 percent, and by 2080, the elderly will outnumber children under 18. There are already 1.2 billion people over 60 worldwide, and by the mid-2030s, the number of those over 80 will exceed the number of infants.
An aging population requires a rethinking of healthcare and social support systems. Dementia, one of the leading causes of disability in old age, is a particularly pressing issue. Specialized care tailored to the functional capabilities of older adults and their environment is needed.
The role of women deserves special attention: they provide approximately 70 percent of all informal care hours globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This makes them particularly vulnerable to poverty in old age and requires urgent policy solutions.
Older people are not only the memory of society, but also its conscience, its energy, and its voice. Recognizing their role is not a gesture of goodwill, but a strategic necessity. In 2025, the world takes a step toward a generation that deserves not only respect but also equality.
