Pakistan is one of the 15 countries globally with a population of more than 10 million people aged 60 and above. The population of older persons in Pakistan is more than 13.5 Million and is projected to reach 40 million by 2050. The current policy and institutional landscape has several loopholes and weaknesses to address the various needs of this section of population. Older people face different challenges related to health, economic and social wellbeing and infringement of rights. Amongst developing countries inequality is higher among people 60 years and older, resulting in precarious employment in older age without any social protection.

The elderly women are worse off than elderly men in terms of physical, social and economic wellbeing, especially in the developing economies like Pakistan with high gender inequality. At the heart of Social Policy are rights based social health insurance and social protection systems, however, Pakistan is embarking on a different trajectory neglecting the wellbeing of its older people. There is a need to develop comprehensive strategies to address the needs of older persons and prepare Pakistan for this demographic shift, in order to maximize the nation’s wellbeing. Hence, there is need to provide social assistance, insurance and security for the improvement of well-being of older persons through inclusive and defined social protection system in the country.

The SPRC produces a regular Report on Old Age in Pakistan. The reports on old age wellbeing presenting a perspective on the magnitude of social protection, pensions, shelter, formal and informal caregiver’s issues and impact/vulnerability to climate change. The SPRC has also conducted several research studies, surveys and projects on old age.

The SPRC’s extensive work in the last two years from the platform of the Research and Development Group has also advanced lot of policy proposals for Old age wellbeing with government entities.