The gender dimension is further compounded by the fact that women on average live longer than men: women represent 51 percent of the general population but 55 percent of the 70-79 age group and 58 percent of the 80-plus age group. Women further experience higher rates of care dependency in certain age groups; for example, the dependency rate within the 80+ population is 53 percent for women and 41 percent for men (MHAS, 2018). In short, women are the main providers of unpaid care and the main recipients of these services. All these facts underscore the need to develop a comprehensive system of care and to rebalance the weight of care within families.
Another challenge is that older persons in Mexico show a high prevalence of chronic and non-communicable diseases, which are associated with higher functional dependency, decreased quality of life, and additional stress on the health system. Three-fifths of people ages 60-69 who were interviewed in the 2018 ENASEM reported having been diagnosed with at least one chronic disease. That prevalence increases with age. It jumps to 67 percent among those who are 70 and older, and for all age groups the percentage of diagnosis among women is higher. The main chronic conditions facing people ages 60-69 are hypertension (42 percent), diabetes (26 percent), and arthritis (12 percent). These values are likely underestimated since diseases such as diabetes and hypertension are often not diagnosed. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that half of those who suffer from diabetes in low- and middle-income countries do not know they have the disease.5 Finally, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study in Mexico, among people ages 70 and up, cardiovascular diseases account for the largest share of the total percentage of deaths (31 percent), followed by diabetes and other endocrine diseases (20 percent).6 Not only aging but other factors influence the appearance of chronic diseases: a more sedentary lifestyle, tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and alcohol consumption. Healthy aging requires effective and multi-sector public health approaches for identifying risk factors and mitigating long-term effects.
Women further experience higher rates of care dependency in certain age groups; for example, the dependency rate within the 80-plus population is 53 percent for women and 41 percent for men (MHAS, 2018). In short, women are the main providers of unpaid care and the main recipients of these services. All these facts underscore the need to develop a comprehensive system of care and to rebalance the weight of care within families.
Opportunity and Investment
Yet, as we know, the world’s aging population presents a tremendous opportunity. For example, when older people, who typically come equipped with the benefit of experience, are in the job market, more income and tax revenue are generated.
In Mexico, 40 percent of the population age 60 and over are active in the labor market. According to estimates from PwC's Golden Age Index 2018, if the labor participation rate among people over 55 years of age were to reach more than 70 percent, Mexico's GDP would increase by $52 billion in the long term.7 And, of course, it is expected that people working longer would mean less of a strain on the pension system.
It is further important to recognize and galvanize the potential of the Silver Economy, that is the economic sector related to the needs and demands of older people. This is a growing, often overlooked, market. Major challenges associated with aging bring possibilities for economic development, new business ventures, and job opportunities. Promoting healthy aging and facilitating the growth of the Silver Economy will go a long way in turning the challenge of aging into an opportunity for sustainable, inclusive, and equitable growth.
Thus, as is the case in many countries, the rapidly aging population in Mexico demands that the nation acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead so that it can develop solutions to address them. Within both the solutions to challenges and the overall economic strength and potential of older persons lies a valuable opportunity. As with any opportunity, societies will need to invest resources, in order to benefit from it. ●