As a result, many older people are forced to work beyond the traditional retirement age. Of those aged 65 and over who are employed, 94 percent work in the informal sector, which often lacks basic labor protections and pension provisions.
Japan is a good example of the challenges facing its Asian neighbors: With 29.1 percent of the population aged 65 or older, the country faces a rapid population decline and soaring social security costs.
Last year, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Japan was “on the brink of whether it could continue to function as a society,” stressing the urgency of addressing the needs of an ageing society. Given the stark disparity between deaths and births and a projected population decline of about 20 percent by 2050, Japan's struggle to maintain its social fabric bodes well for the rest of Asia.
02:18
Japan's Ageing Population: As birth rate continues to fall, one in ten people will be over 80
Japan's Ageing Population: As birth rate continues to fall, one in ten people will be over 80
Concurrent with these demographic changes, the pace of climate change is accelerating. Last year, average temperatures in Asia rose 0.91 degrees above the 1991-2020 baseline, the second-highest increase on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Extreme heatwaves are becoming more frequent, with Japan experiencing its hottest summer on record. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to heatwaves. Over the past decade, the number of ambulances dispatched for heatstroke between May and September averaged 40,000 to 70,000 per year in Japan, according to the Japan Times, peaking at more than 90,000 during the 2018 heatwave. Nearly half of these cases involved people aged 65 or older.
The projections paint a grim picture for Asia, where older people are expected to be nearly four times more exposed to heat than the rest of the world due to the region's large populations and hot climate, according to the study published in the journal Nature Communications.
Increased exposure to heat also leads to increased heat-related deaths: Another study warned that heat-related deaths among older adults in Indonesia's megacity, Jakarta, could increase 12-15 times between the 2010s and 2050s.
Older adults are disproportionately vulnerable to disasters due to a combination of factors, including pre-existing health conditions. Severe weather events exacerbate these vulnerabilities, leading to increased incidence of heatstroke, vector-borne diseases, respiratory diseases and mental health problems among older adults.
07:08
Nausea, fatigue, death: what heat does to the human body
Nausea, fatigue, death: what heat does to the human body
Economic inequality also contributes to the increased risks faced by older adults in disadvantaged areas, as they are often less financially prepared for emergencies.
Vulnerability is further exacerbated by a general lack of access to health services for older adults, as highlighted in an Asian Development Bank report, which found that the majority of older people in Asia do not receive regular health checks.
Additionally, 31% of older people in Asia report symptoms of depression due to illness, social isolation and economic anxiety. Older women in the region suffer disproportionately from health problems such as depression, diabetes and high blood pressure compared to older men.
But a study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham also shows that older adults have more confidence in their ability to cope with challenges. Compared to younger people, older adults show greater resilience in the face of economic loss and stressful events.
This suggests that ageing societies may bring unique strengths to climate resilience efforts, but also highlights the need for nuanced, multilevel consideration of both the vulnerability and resilience of older people.
01:27
Bangladesh's floating farms enable year-round farming
Bangladesh's floating farms enable year-round farming
With climate change projections warning that average summer temperatures in Asia could rise by 2°C by 2050 and 5°C by 2100, building the resilience of older people to these impacts is crucial. Protecting and empowering older people is essential to building stronger, more resilient communities for all.
As Daniel Arigoni argues in his 2023 book Climate Resilience for Ageing Societies, societies can become truly climate resilient by prioritizing the needs of older people. Addressing the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by older populations can significantly improve the quality of life for everyone.
Ultimately, navigating the complex interplay between population aging and climate change in Asia will require a comprehensive and inclusive strategy. Strengthening social protection, expanding access to health care, creating age-friendly environments, and harnessing the wisdom and resilience of older people are key elements of this approach.
Asia can build a more sustainable and equitable future by prioritizing the well-being of its ageing societies in its climate change adaptation efforts. Decisions about the care and empowerment of older people will have a major impact on the region's quality of life and its ability to thrive amid environmental challenges.
Mohammad Yunus is an independent researcher currently pursuing a Masters in Biological Sciences at Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
