An ever-increasing aging population poses several challenges for all nations. Aging is not a universal experience, as factors such as income security, health status, employment and education, and the overall environment for older residents determine a country’s suitability. Here are ten of the worst countries for older residents to live in.
1. Afghanistan
Possibly the worst country for the aging population, Afghan residents get less than a decade of healthy senior life expectancy at sixty. Poor education and high poverty rates make this nation hit the bottom list for older people. Understandably, years of war have left the country in such peril it struggles to recover to this date.
2. Uganda
While Uganda has high employment rates for older adults, many are forced to work out of dire financial need. However, poor health and low literacy rates mean that older people can only work in the informal sector. Access to health services and state facilities is negligible as no stable governmental infrastructure exists.
3. The United Republic of Tanzania
Tanzania has the second highest employment rates for older adults, which, like Uganda, are generally low-skilled jobs. The educational attainment rate is low as most elderly residents haven’t completed secondary education. Poor infrastructure, such as underdeveloped public transportation, further hinders the mobility of older people.
4. Jordan
Older adults in Jordan are able to live well due to family ties or financial assistance from the government. However, because most elderly need at least one person to count on, they suffer from economic dependence. While their needs may be met, the Jordanian elderly do not have the resources to live capably by themselves.
5. Pakistan
This politically unstable country is unable to offer a reliable aging experience. However, Pakistan has one of the lowest poverty rates for older people, with only 1.8% living in poverty. However, like Jordan, self-sufficiency is compromised yet again as many older Pakistanis rely on kinship to sustain themselves.
6. Iraq
With a population of about thirty-six million and a relatively lower life expectancy, Iraq fails to offer autonomy and safety to numerous older people. After decades of war, Iraq offers no social pension to the aging population. Further, poor infrastructure also adversely affects the quality of life.
7. Zambia
Zambia has a small number of elderly residents who are expected to live only a decade of good health after sixty. The elderly are subjected to high poverty rates and ill health with little to no personal security.
8. Malawi
With a drastically low gross domestic product (GDP), the employment rate for Malawi’s elderly is greater than 95%! Only a tiny percentage has completed secondary education. Employment may help some residents feel less dependent, but social connectivity measures are meager, as many don’t have anyone to count on in times of trouble.
9. Gaza and West Bank
These war-ridden territories have little to offer to any age group, let alone the aging population. Political unrest has hindered stable infrastructure development while making many Palestinian elderly feel dependent. The ongoing conflict also means many fail to enjoy a feeling of safety.
10. Mozambique
Torn by an era of colonialism and civil unrest, Mozambique struggles to be economically stable. Hence, the poverty rates impact the aging population immensely. Due to political instability, most elderly individuals do not feel safe alone.
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