Aging in Brazil
Despite being designated an “aging society” just a decade ago, Brazil is on track to boasting the fifth largest population of seniors in the world by 2030, according to its Ministry of Health. This rapid rate of aging, one of the fastest in Latin America, is driven largely by improved life expectancy and declining fertility rates. Although a series of policies were instituted starting in the 1980s to protect the rights of older adults, Brazil’s relatively youthful demographics have made aging a lower priority for the government in the intervening 92 years. However, with the massive demographic shift looming, Brazil is starting to focus more attention on the older population, expanding the scope of public policies in areas such as health, education, employment, and housing. Local governments, such as the state of São Paulo, and NGOs, are championing the creation of age-friendly cities and the concept of “active aging.” Public and private sectors are rushing to serve the needs of this growing demographic, particularly in the realm of information and communication technology.