Globally, over the next 40 years, the number of people, aged 60 and over is set to grow by one and a quarter billion. More than 80 per cent of these people will be living in developing regions, such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America. What are the implications of this for the world? What will old age be like for these people? This book offers a general, critical review of the current state of knowledge on population ageing and older people in developing countries. It combines a wide range of perspectives - from development studies, social gerontology, social policy, and demography - into a single, original, and coherent book. It examines the neglected topic of ageing and international development alongside the experiences of older people. Population Ageing and International Development will be the main reference point for teaching and research in the field.

Over the next 40 years the number of people aged 60 and over in the world is set to grow by one and a quarter billion. More than 80 per cent of these people will be living in developing regions, such as Asia, Africa and Latin America. What are the implications of this for the world and what will old age be like for these people? This original book provides a sophisticated analysis of links between development, population ageing and the experiences of older people. Drawing on a broad array of evidence, it challenges a number of widely held misconceptions and generalisations. The book highlights the diversity and complexity of international experiences and argues that the effects of population ageing on development are strongly influenced by policy choices. It argues that pension programmes in developing countries often promote inequality and clientelism, that health policies over-look basic provision and lifelong promotion, and that care needs continue to be neglected. It includes country case study chapters which analyse the experiences of India, South Africa and Argentina. The book will be of interest to people working in a wide range of academic disciplines, including economics, gerontology, social policy and development studies. It will also provide a key reference point for policy makers and practitioners concerned with developing countries.

Accelerated population ageing, long a significant issue for developed countries, is now becoming important in the developing world too. Population ageing is one of the great achievements of the past century - although it brings its own social, economic, political and cultural challenges. The quality of life of older people is strongly conditioned by their capacity to manage opportunities and risks. Social protection, both formal and informal, can be critical. This book examines the links between wellbeing and development, drawing on examples from low, middle and high-income countries. It examines ageing in a number of very different development contexts -- Argentina, Brazil, China, Ghana, Japan, Mexico, Thailand, Ukraine, UK and USA. It highlights the complexity of relationships between development and the way later life is experienced, identifies key priorities for policy-makers, and maps out an urgent research agenda.