In the UN World and Economic Social Survey 2007: Development in an Aging World (pdf), released 19th June, the organization states that aging will have a profound impact on economic and social development worldwide, and calls for policy to be put in place ahead of time to ease adaptation and harness the benefits.
The report says that living longer and healthier lives brings tremendous potential for economic and social development, and for personal fulfillment, but policies must be in place to support people of all ages.
Japan is singled out as a special case, as by 2050 it will have the highest ratio of those over 65 years to those aged 15 to 64, i.e. 7:10.
This will make Japan a eremarkablef aging society.
While the report warns of potential difficulties ahead, it is cautiously optimistic about the contribution the elderly can make to society.
