A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) marking the midpoint of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) finds that countries are making meaningful progress in supporting healthy aging, but significant work remains. More countries now have laws addressing age-based discrimination, national long-term care policies, age-friendly environment programs, and integrated care services for older persons. The report highlights growing global recognition of the importance of healthy aging as the population aged 60 and older is expected to more than double, reaching 2.1 billion by 2050.
Despite these gains, the report warns that progress is uneven and that investment remains a major challenge. More than one-third of reporting countries have little or no dedicated funding for long-term care, fewer than half have legislation supporting access to assistive devices, and only a small proportion can effectively track older persons' health over time. WHO and its partners emphasize that stronger financing, better data systems, and sustained action will be essential to ensure longer lives are also healthier, more independent, and more dignified.
The report also incorporates the perspectives of older persons from 58 countries and calls on governments, organizations, and communities to accelerate efforts during the second half of the Decade. WHO, the United Nations, and partners stress that investing in healthy aging is not only a social priority but also an economic opportunity that can strengthen communities and improve quality of life worldwide.
Learn more about global efforts to advance healthy aging.
