International Day of Older Persons 2024 | 05 Oct 2024

Theme for 2024: Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide
About International Day of Older Persons:
- This day is celebrated to recognise the contributions made by older people and promote the need for inclusive and age-friendly societies.
- Designated by the UN General Assembly on 14th October, 1990, it is based on the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing (1982) and the UN Principles for Older Persons.
Commitments & Global Framework:
- The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) aligns with SDG-3 on Good Health and Well-Being.
- India formulated the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) in 1999 and is a signatory to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002).
As of December 2023, India has 153 million elderly individuals (60+), projected to rise to 347 million by 2050, making up 20.8% of the total population.
- Globally, the elderly population rose from about 260 million in 1980 to 761 million in 2021, with projections indicating it will increase from under 10% in 2021 to around 17% by 2050.

Read More: Empowering India's Elderly.