June 2026

China. Aging population triggers demand for ‘senior toys’

China's rapidly aging population is fueling a new consumer trend for "senior toys". With over 300 million citizens aged 60 or older, families are increasingly turning to specialized games, puzzles and therapeutic toys to combat cognitive decline and elderly isolation. However, industry insiders warn that the emerging market is still failing to meet the complex needs of older adults. Guo Xiafei used to think her grandmother was fine living on her own. But during her rare home visits to Chengdu,...

May 2026

Should Malaysia expand its social pension? Global evidence, design issues and options

By World Bank Group This study examines whether Malaysia should expand its social pension coverage and adequacy by drawing on global experiences and comparing them to the Malaysian context. It explores the impacts of social pensions on various social indicators and addresses key design issues for expansion. The paper concludes with recommendations for reforms, emphasizing the need to balance welfare and equity impacts with fiscal considerations. Get the report here

China now home to more people over 65 than children, official survey finds

For the first time in records dating back to 1949, China is now home to more people aged 65 and above than children, the latest official data showed, underscoring the country’s deepening demographic pressure. By November last year, 15.87 per cent of China’s roughly 1.4 billion-strong population was aged at least 65, compared with 15.25 per cent aged between 0 to 14, according to the results of a nationwide sample survey released late last week. That meant China’s traditional family-based model...

US. Aging in place comes with major financial hurdles

More than 75% of older Americans say they want to “age in place,” or live in their home for as long as possible. Sounds reasonable. But 40% have doubts about whether that's possible, according to a survey by AARP. For many, financial constraints will force them to downsize, relocate to a less expensive city or state or move in with family or into an independent retirement or assisted living community. Money issues such as the cost of age-proofing a home, the...

How comprehensive, holistic financial planning is addressing an ageing Malaysia

A retired teacher scrolls through hospital bills on her phone while discussing inheritance plans with her daughter; a small-business owner considers whether the house he has lived in for 30 years could be used to support future medical costs; a retiring couple wonders whether their EPF savings will be enough for a retirement that may stretch across two or even three decades. These are no longer private anxieties; they are becoming central concerns for many Malaysians. With 14% of the...

Growing old gracefully: US hot spots for increased life expectancy revealed

In many advanced economies populations are growing and, at the same time, the average age is rising. This holds true for the U.S., where new research reveals that West Virginia leads the list, with its residents aging nearly eight years faster than the rest of the country. This is based on an April 2026 report conducted by a firm called Auragens, who measured both biological and psychological aging across all 50 states. Biological aging included six factors: physical inactivity, obesity, heart disease,...

More UK children projected to live beyond 100 as longevity pressures mount

More than a quarter of girls and almost a fifth of boys born in the UK in 2049 are expected to live to at least 100 years old, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) projections, raising further questions over the long-term sustainability of retirement provision. The ONS’ latest Past and projected period and cohort life tables showed that 26.3 per cent of girls and 18.3 per cent of boys born in 2049 are projected to live to at least...

The Paradox of Pensions in an Aging Society

South Korea will enter a super-aged society in December 2024, when the population aged 65 and older exceeds 10 million, accounting for more than 20% of the total population. This shift has occurred 2 to 3 years earlier than previously projected for 2027. The proportion of elderly individuals is expected to reach 30% by 2036 and exceed 40% by 2050. With an average life expectancy projected to be 88.6 years by 2050, many retirees may face nearly 30 years...

The Rise of Assisted Living, Its Aging Population, and What It Means for Facilities and Oversight

Serving as a middle option between independent living and institutional care, assisted living is playing an increasingly important role in long-term services and supports (LTSS), with more older adults than ever living in assisted living communities. That growth has meant changing demographics, emerging challenges, and a greater focus on evolving oversight needs. Today, residents in assisted living communities are older and are more likely to have dementia, amplifying the need for appropriate direct-care staffing. Many of assisted living’s challenges, such...

Indonesia:The newest member of group of ageing Asian nations

Indonesia is now officially an ageing nation, according to the 2025 Intercensal Survey (SUPAS) published by Statistics Indonesia (BPS). The survey published on 12 May 2026 reveals that the percentage of the elderly population has climbed to 11.97%, breaching for the first time the 10% threshold used to differentiate between a young population and an ageing one. The exercise conducted every five years found that the elderly population share has continued to climb in each of the surveys. The ageing population...