Acta Medica 2013; 2: 23–25 acta medica TECHNICAL NOTE Aged Population Is Increasing In Turkey: Situation Analysis Dilek ASLAN1*, [MD] 1 Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health A BST R AC T Recent national statistics in Turkey shows that the population structure has turned to “aged” population since 2009 in our country. The old age dependency ratio in our country has been 11.12% by 2012. In this technical report, aging and its major features were discussed using the basic indicators and worldwide-accepted approaches in aging. Key words: Aged population; Active aging; Turkey * Corresponding Author: Dilek Aslan Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Department of Public Health Sihhiye, 06100 Ankara, Turkey Phone +90 (312) 305 15 90 [email protected] Received 6 February 2013; accepted 14 June 2013 Recent national population data [1] in Turkey shows 2009. The American and the European Regions seem that the total population has reached to 75 627 384 to have the highest LE values [10]. According to the people. The aged population (65 years of age and old- Turkish Statistics Institute data, LE has reached to er) in number is 5 682 003 individuals which equals 74.6 for the 2010-2015 period in Turkey [11]. to 7.5% of the total population within the country. The “oldest old” group which means 85 years of When compared to the previous years, the increas- age and older people are the fastest rising population ing trend can be seen clearly (Table 1). The popula- among all age groups [12, 13]. Thus, this group has tion structure has turned to “aged” population since probably many challenging issues to be faced with 2009. The old age dependency ratio, defined as ra- [14] and experience declining health conditions [15]. tio of the non-productive population (65 years of age The major determinants of aging are known as and older) to the population between 15 and 64 years decrease in fertility rates and increase importance old, [2] in our country has been 11.12% by 2012 [3]. on mortality rates. Decrease in both infant mortalWhen compared to the European Region of the ity and maternal mortality rates contribute to the World Health Organization data, Turkey is still behind. The proportion of the aged people in the re- Table 1. Population (in number) and aged population gion is 14% by 2010 which is expected to increase percentage in Turkey (2008-2012) to 25% in 2050 [8]. The European Region is mostly Population Percentage of aged Year References known as the “oldest” continent worldwide [9]. (millions) population One indicator used to assess aging is life expec2012 75 627 384 7.50 [1] tancy (LE) at birth. Life expectancy at (LE) birth has 2011 74 724 269 7.34 [4] increased globally since the last decades. In Table 2, global data is presented. Thus, there is a distinct in- 2010 73 722 988 7.22 [5] equality between the regions as very clearly seen in 2009 71 561 312 7.00 [6] the table. Unfortunately, in the African region, the 2008 71 517 100 6.84 [7] people could not have reached to the age of 65 by 23 © 2013 Acta Medica. All rights reserved. Aged Population Is Increasing In Turkey: Situation Analysis Table 2. Life expectancy at birth and at 60 years of age (WHO Regions, 2009) [10] Life expectancy at birth Region Life expectancy at 60 years Male Female Male Female World 66 71 18 21 Africa 52 56 14 16 Americas 73 79 21 24 Eastern Mediterranean 64 67 16 18 Europe 71 79 19 23 South-East Asia 64 67 15 18 Western Pacific 72 77 19 22 aging process of the populations [9]. Since decades, tertiary) without any discrimination these two major indicators are in decreasing trend 3. Give priority to prevention and promotion issues in Turkey [2]. 4. Bring “life expectancy at birth” and “health adst In the 21 century, which is also named as “cenjusted life expectancy” closer in the upper line/ tury of aging” [16], world is discussing not only aging, limit but “active aging” as well. This approach has been 5. Prevent disability put into the world’s agenda by the World Health 6. Explode the myths on aging Organization since late 1990s. Healthy and active 7. Prevent any kind of discrimination in aged popaging prioritizes health and wellbeing of the aged ulation (age discrimination, social isolation, genpopulation as well as their participation in all asder inequality, etc) pects of practical life [9]. Intergenerational solidarity 8. Sustain dignity of the old age is another big concern which each country including 9. Provide social participation Turkey should have put into its agenda. 10. Give chance to the old age to pass their experiBased on the data above, we have to “draw the ences to the younger generations frame” for the well being of aged population us- In the light of the global thematic facts, each couning and expanding our national capacity in Turkey. try located either in developed or developing regions In this regard, basic recommendations are list- of the world should apply sustainable and assessable ed below: programs. The basic responsibility should belong to 1. Provide universal coverage for aged population the state bodies with its counterparts giving priority 2. Provide access to health care (primary/secondary/ to inter and multidisciplinary work. 24 © 2013 Acta Medica. All rights reserved. Acta Medica 2013; 2: 23–25 Aslan REFERENCES [1] http://www.tuik.gov.tr/PreHaberBultenleri.do? id = 13425 (accessed: February 6, 2013). [2] Hacettepe Üniversitesi Nüfus Etütleri Enstitüsü (2009) Türkiye Nüfus ve Sağlık Araştırması, 2008. 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