Philippine population ‘graying’ – POPCOM

On Tuesday, the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) stated that the Philippines should begin planning for the “graying” of its population due to the rise in senior persons.

Juan Antonio Perez, executive director of POPCOM, stated in Maki Pulido’s report on “24 Oras” that the government must put policies in place to deal with the aging population in light of the most recent Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report, which revealed that the number of elderly people has doubled in the last 20 years.

The number of Filipinos 60 and older has increased from the 4,565,560 reported in 2000 to 9,222,672.

From 2035 to 2040, POPCOM projects that the population will continue to grow, reaching a level of roughly 19 million people, which will be sufficient for the nation to be classified as “graying.”

“Lumiliit, kumikipot ‘yung mga mas bata at lumalaki ‘yung ating working and senior population,” said Perez.

The PSA study states that the Filipino children’s population between 0 and 15 increased during the same period. In 2022, a total of 33,414,245 people were recorded, compared to 28,313,897 people in 2000.

The PSA also stated that in 2020, 8.7 percent will be the nation’s lowest percentage ever recorded for live births. However, according to data from the United Nations Development Program, the average lifespan in the Philippines increased to 79 years old in 2019 from the 66 years reported in 1990, indicating an improvement.

Philippine population ‘graying’ – POPCOM

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), around 50% of the nation’s older citizens are poor. Additionally, POPCOM noted that about 80% do not receive social pensions.

“Mag-set aside ng more resources for our seniors. (We should set aside more resources for our seniors.) Otherwise, we will have to pay for it through higher healthcare costs and social services,” he added.