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Tackling Elderly Poverty in the UK Among Ethnic Minority Groups

Elderly Poverty in the UKThere is a significant rise in elderly poverty in the U.K., particularly among ethnic minority groups. According to the 2021 Census, around 2.17 million ethnic minority people aged 50 and over in England live with an 80% poverty increase compared to the previous 10 years. These people are living under poor health, inadequate housing and deep poverty. 

A report from Ageing Better’s State of Ageing, published in 2023, shows that a vast number of people from Bangladeshi (26%) and Pakistani (28%) backgrounds are living in impoverished conditions, twice as many as white British people. This indicates social and racial inequalities in the country.       

Another report shows that there is currently 18% of elderly poverty in the U.K., and 30% of black ethnic minorities are at a high risk of poverty in their later life. Further statistics reveal that the lower income rates and lack of private pension facilities lead older ethnic minority groups to impoverished lives in the United Kingdom. For instance, while 61% of white older households receive occupational pensions, the percentage of black older households in the same case is 44%, who receive only £47 a week compared to the £169 that white households receive.

A report from the Charity Independent Age finds that 82% of people believe the British government should provide greater support and attention to address poverty among older people in Britain. The Charity Independent Age urges the U.K. Government to urgently implement policies to eradicate the financial hardship of older people.

Government Initiatives to Tackle Elderly Poverty in the UK

The British Government is concerned about the poverty rate in the country, especially financial hardship among elderly people. It has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to supporting pensioners and ensuring the dignity and security they deserve. The Labour Government helped more than one million elderly people escape poverty. It also initiated the Pension Credit, which aimed to assist low-income households. 

The Government also committed to increasing the State Pension by £31 billion, which plays a key role in supporting elderly people. It also showed an intention to spend approximately £174.9 billion on benefits for pensioners in the U.K. in 2025-2026, which equaled 5.8% of GDP. 

The U.K. Government is also considering the future of pension systems. Therefore, it initiated Automatic Enrolment to facilitate eligible employees in saving for their workplace pension. However, there is an uncertainty about a part of future generations due to their lower income rate due to the unequal job system.

In July 2025, the British Government revives the landmark Pensions Commission to benefit millions of people with a more secure retirement. It also tried to bring all the right groups and pension industries together to allow the Commission to crack the pension crisis.

Alongside the British Government, multiple organizations such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), Friends of the Elderly and Centre for Ageing Better worked to reduce elderly poverty in the U.K.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) conducted thorough research and developed a long-term strategy to address poverty issues in Britain. This strategy highlights a five-point plan, such as: 

  1. Increase incomes and decrease spending 
  2. Make a proper benefit system 
  3. Develop education standards and strengthen skills
  4. Boost family and community bonding
  5. Serve a long-lasting financial growth for inclusive benefits

This research also suggests that national and local governments should take crucial initiatives to tackle elderly poverty in Britain. Through public policy, local and national governments in Westminster, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can create some opportunities that will strengthen community and family relations, enabling them to do the best for themselves.

This organization also runs fundraising campaigns to eradicate poverty in the U.K. regardless of race, ethnicity, age and gender. Its campaign maintains a strong voice, grounding a wide range of views and voices from multiple political and economic backgrounds.

Friends of the Elderly

Friends of the Elderly has been working for poverty reduction for elderly people in the U.K. since 1905. It supports the elderly in the U.K. with daycare and care home services. The day care services help older people who stay in their homes with daytime household activities. The care homes also give residential and nursing care. 

This organization also provides grant services to older, impoverished people who struggle to make ends meet. The grants aim to cover essential living costs, such as purchasing necessary home items, gas and electricity expenses, paying unexpected bills, food and clothing to ensure their lives of dignity and comfort.

Centre for Ageing Better

The Centre for Ageing Better works to make homes, workplaces and communities inclusive with older people. The organization also aims for an Age-friendly Movement to highlight ageing as a positive and realistic way in society. 

It aims to contribute to the improvement of three particular sectors, such as good health, financial security and fair respect. It focuses on Age-friendly movement, age-friendly homes and age-friendly employment. To achieve these three goals, this organization participates in different activities:

  • It influences government policies and practices in order to ensure good jobs for everyone aged over 50 and 60, which is their citizenship right. 
  • It also acts to make sure that everyone has access to healthy homes and integrational communities.
  • It also provides funding opportunities to impoverished elderly people in the U.K.      

Looking Ahead

Elderly poverty has become a great concern in the U.K., especially among ethnic minority groups. The British Government has taken multiple initiatives to address the issue while providing good homes, health and livelihoods for pensioners. Apart from this, multiple organizations work to support impoverished people through financial assistance, home care services and advocacy for government policies. These activities fruitfully contributed to reducing elderly poverty in the U.K., which will hopefully bring the elderly poverty rate to 0% in the near future.

– Rakib Hasan

Rakib is based in Cardiff, Wales and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Elderly Poverty in Equatorial Guinea

Elderly People in Equatorial GuineaElderly poverty in Equatorial Guinea has serious consequences. The World Bank reports that widespread poverty limits access to adequate food, health care and living conditions across the country. Older adults, who often lack stable income or social protection, are particularly vulnerable to these conditions, which can worsen health outcomes and reduce quality of life in old age.

Elderly Poverty in Equatorial Guinea

The elderly population individuals aged 65 or older accounts for an estimated 4.94% of the nation’s population, according to demographic data. While specific data on income levels and employment for older adults are limited, national poverty figures suggest that many senior citizens are vulnerable due to limited financial resources and low social nets.

Public spending on health, education and social protections remains low in Equatorial Guinea, at approximately 2% of GDP, which gives access to essential services for vulnerable groups, including older adults. This limited investment in public services can make it difficult for elderly citizens to secure regular income, manage health conditions or find a good amount of social support.

Access to health care remains limited for much of Equatorial Guinea’s population. According to the World Bank, the country continues to face challenges related to health system capacity and overall access to essential services. These limitations can be especially difficult for older adults, who are more likely to require ongoing medical care due to age- related health conditions.

Poverty can also limit access to adequate food and shelter. Reports on living conditions note that food insecurity and struggles to afford necessities affect many households in Equatorial Guinea. Older adults living in low income families may be particularly at risk, as they often depend on family members or community support to meet the basic needs.

Government Initiative: Social Assistance 

To address the needs of vulnerable populations, the Ministry of Social affairs and Gender Equality launched an initiative in 2015 to establish social assistance centers for elderly citizens. These centers were designed to reduce social isolation by providing communal spaces where seniors do not lack in areas of social activities, basic health support and community services.

While these centers aim to improve the wellbeing of elderly adults, publicly available data on the number of individuals served and specific outcomes remain limited. Most centers are concentrated in urban areas, which may leave rural older adults without access to similar services.

In addition, inadequate social protection systems can place extra strain on families who care for elderly relatives while also trying to meet their own economic needs. Strengthening support for older citizens can help improve quality of life and reduce the long term effects of poverty in later life.

Conclusion

Elderly poverty in Equatorial Guinea reflects broader social and economic inequalities within the country. Despite oil wealth, limited investment in public services and social protection has left many older citizens vulnerable. Programs such as social assistance centers for elderly people, partnerships with international health agencies and efforts to improve food security represent steps toward improving conditions for vulnerable populations. However, sustained and expanded support is essential to ensuring that older adults can live with dignity, secure basic needs and participate fully in society.

– Nishanth Pothapragada

Nishanth is based in London, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Elderly Poverty in Tunisia Is Pushing Reform

Elderly Poverty in TunisiaElderly poverty in Tunisia is becoming increasingly visible as the country’s population ages and more people retire without secure incomes. In the next few decades, the share of older adults is expected to continue rising, putting pressure on pensions, health care and social assistance.

An Aging Population With Limited Incomes

Tunisia is one of Africa’s oldest societies, with people aged 60 and above accounting for approximately one-tenth of the population. This share is expected to grow rapidly over the next two decades. While the country has made notable progress in reducing overall poverty, the national poverty rate still stood at 16.6% in 2021.

A regional profile on aging notes that 40% of Tunisian men aged 60 to 64 are still working, compared to just 5% of women of the same age. This gap suggests that many women enter old age without their own income and remain reliant on welfare support or their spouses. As life expectancy rises and family structures change, these disparities place older people at greater risk of poverty when work ends or family support weakens.

Pensions Protecting Formal Workers

Tunisia’s pension system is comprehensive by regional standards. Contributory schemes operate through two main funds: the National Pension and Social Insurance Fund (CNRPS) for public sector workers and the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) for private sector workers. Together, these funds help older people and those with disabilities retire without falling into extreme poverty. By 2018, 75% of Tunisia’s population had contributed to some form of pension scheme, a high rate for a developing country.

Minimum pensions are linked to the legal minimum wage. For example, one rule sets the minimum benefit at approximately two-thirds of the minimum monthly salary for the entire career. This link is important for redistributing resources and reducing elderly poverty among formal workers in Tunisia.

However, many people are still excluded from the system. Those without contracted work or in seasonal jobs—especially in rural and agricultural areas—often fail to accumulate enough contributions to qualify for a decent pension. Older women, who tend to have lower lifetime labor force participation, are particularly likely to be excluded or receive only very small pensions.

Cash Transfers for the Most Impoverished Seniors

To support people who can not rely on government pension schemes, Tunisia operates the National Program for Assistance to Needy Families (PNAFN). The program, established in 1986, targets households that are unable to work due to old age, disability or chronic illness. Since its inception, the value of the PNAFN transfer has increased at a rate faster than the minimum wage.

Beneficiary households receive around $61 to $69 per month, equivalent to about 45% of the minimum wage, along with quarterly top-ups for families with children in school. The program is also linked to free medical cards under the Assistance Médicale Gratuite (AMG) scheme, giving needy older adults access to public health services at little or no cost. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the PNAFN and AMG databases enabled the government to rapidly deliver emergency cash transfers to hundreds of thousands of impoverished households, many of which included older people.

These measures helped mitigate poverty and showed how social assistance can protect seniors during crises.

Health and Community Services for Older Tunisians

Income is only one form of elderly poverty in Tunisia; access to affordable health and care services is just as important. Tunisia’s social system provides health coverage through a mix of social programs and tax-funded insurance. These include the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) and the AMG scheme, which assist low-income households.

Government reports highlight efforts to bring services closer to older people. This includes expanding mobile teams that provide health and social care at home, as well as establishing day centers where seniors can receive support and participate in community activities. These services are essential for older adults who live alone, have limited mobility or are unable to afford private care.

Gaps That Need Closing

Despite these programs, significant gaps remain. Before the pandemic, about 17% of Tunisians still lacked any form of medical coverage, leaving many older adults exposed to costly treatments and check-ups. Studies of the pension system note that benefit levels are often insufficient to cover basic needs and many non-contracted and rural workers are not covered.

The lack of inflation adjustments in many of these schemes also means that pension purchasing power declines over time. However, charities and civil organizations have called for broader social protection that guarantees a basic income in old age, regardless of employment history. Proposals include expanding social coverage, improving targeting to reach isolated older adults and exploring the introduction of a universal social pension to supplement contributory benefits.

Toward a Dignified Old Age in Tunisia

Elderly poverty in Tunisia is shaped by both the strengths and limitations of its social protection system. Strong pension contributions and an innovative cash transfer program have already prevented many older citizens from falling into extreme poverty. However, coverage gaps, low benefit levels and rising health costs mean that too many seniors still rely on insecure family support or must continue working into old age.

If Tunisia succeeds in strengthening pension coverage, expanding social care and ensuring that older people have access to affordable health and community care, the country can change the narrative of population ageing. Rather than being a story of vulnerability, it can become one of dignity and inclusion for its growing elderly population.

– Jibreel Meddah

Jibreel is based in Cardiff, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Elderly Poverty in Samoa: How Tradition is Transitioning

Elderly Poverty in SamoaMigration has been a central feature of Pacific Island life for decades. This is particularly true for young islanders from regions like Samoa, who seek better education, work and opportunities beyond their shores. While migration brings many benefits and connects remote Pacific regions to the modern global world, it also has downsides. As a phenomenon, it has significantly disrupted social traditions and structures.

At the core of the Samoan way of life and tradition is “Fa’a” culture. This encompassed shared values and social systems, placing strong importance on family, familial obligations, respect and service, where younger generations are expected to care for elders. Older adults in Samoa and across the Pacific Islands, have historically relied upon this tight, family, elder-based structure to aid their later lives.

What makes elderly social and economic vulnerability unique in less developed nations is the limited availability of social provisions, which increases dependency on informal networks such as family and friends. Additionally, most available work is agricultural and labor-intensive, excluding older people from being self-sufficient, unlike in regions such as Singapore, where elderly poverty has different causes and contexts.

Socioeconomic Challenges and the Impact of Migration

Samoa is one of the most stable and relatively healthy economies in the Pacific region, with the average family earning a lower-middle income. However, the social impact of migration, which disrupts traditional sociocultural structures, leaves certain groups extremely vulnerable. According to a 2022 report from the Samoa Bureau of Statistics, emigration rates are particularly high among those aged 15 to 24.

Combined with Samoa’s atypical family compositions and relatively high dependency ratios, this creates a socioeconomic burden on those “left behind.” The effects of migration have also coincided with other considerable factors contributing to elderly poverty in Samoa. This includes an increased frequency of natural disasters in the region, particularly detrimental to such a farming-dependent nation and a slow post-pandemic economic recovery.

In October 2024, the World Bank reported an increase in Samoa’s poverty rate from 18.8% to 21.9% in 2018, showing how severely the nation was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic recovery only began in 2023 with the easing of border restrictions and the return of tourism. Yet the limited research and attention given to such remote regions, like the Pacific Islands, make the situation, presumably worse since 2018, tougher to navigate and aid.

Community Resilience and NGO Efforts

Elderly poverty and vulnerability in Samoa and across remote Pacific Island regions are multidimensional issues, impacting social, economic, cultural and even psychological aspects of life. Addressing elderly poverty in Samoa requires coordinated and sustained action. Strengthened social safety measures like pensions, community-based elder care and inclusive migration policies would be invaluable. Meanwhile, NGOs and charities in the region provide hands-on, proactive support to those most affected.

ADRA Samoa is the national branch of the International Adventist Development and Relief Agency, founded in 1956, headquartered in Apia, whose humanitarian mission is to serve people “with no preference for race, gender or religion.” The organization aims to support vulnerable communities, especially elderly groups, through many practical measures. These include disaster readiness, housing, hygiene and sanitation in response to migration-inclusive community empowerment.

An example of its inclusive community empowerment work is completing a significant round of shelter projects across Samoa, coinciding with opening a new climate-resilient evacuation shelter in Savai’i. Through this initiative, the NGO built 26 new shelters and 26 hygiene facilities with accessibility features. These spaces also serve as meeting places for village and community programs. The organization’s efforts focus on vulnerable groups, such as older people, helping to rejuvenate community life and service, which are core values in Samoan culture.

Over the several decades of its work in Samoa, ADRA Samoa has improved the living conditions of more than 1,000 vulnerable Samoans, built more than 200 homes and hygiene facilities and assisted hundreds of families.

Final Remarks

Despite the challenges brought on by migration, economic shifts and other external factors, which highlight the complexities of global poverty, Samoa’s communities have shown remarkable resilience. Organizations like ADRA Samoa demonstrate the power of inclusive, community-driven initiatives that not only reduce poverty among older people but also restore hope and dignity to vulnerable populations. With continued attention and support, Samoa and the wider Pacific region prove that positive change is possible even in the most remote places.

– Mia Keen

Mia is London, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything To Know About Poverty in Bulgaria 

Poverty in BulgariaFor a substantial portion (approximately 21.7% or 1.5 million in 2024) of Bulgaria’s population, poverty is an inescapable reality. Vulnerable citizens, especially Romani people, are born into families with little access to basic needs, such as education, housing and employment, further maintaining the cycle of systemic inequality. Recently, however, the nation’s government and nonprofits have been taking measurable steps toward a brighter outlook by reducing the risk of poverty for more than 1 million individuals since 2015. Understanding poverty in Bulgaria starts with recognizing who is experiencing the most impact and why the hardships persist, and the actions organizations are taking to alleviate the conditions of poverty in Bulgaria.

Who Faces the Greatest Risk

The effects of poverty disproportionately impact children and Romani communities. About 28.2% of Bulgarian minors were at risk of poverty in a 2024 report; four-fifths of them were born into households with parents who had not completed more than ISCED Level 1 education. Systematic inequality continues to affect Romani peoples’ access to basic needs unduly. The income inequality is especially notable, as the region with the lowest GDP per capita in the European Union, Severozapaden, also reports the lowest life expectancy.

Numerous interconnected factors have been maintaining this state of affairs, and their consequences are evident. While average wages and the poverty line have increased in recent years, they remain among the lowest in the EU. Individuals working in low-value-added industries (agriculture, most commonly) struggle most with poverty in Bulgaria. Due to low birth rates and emigration, Bulgaria’s population has dropped by nearly 25% since 1990. While rural communities are most subject to depopulation and low investment, economic growth remains concentrated in Sofia.

Social Transfers and EU Cohesion Funds

To support the impoverished, several government and NGO interventions have been implemented and are underway. Pensions, child allowances and other governmental social transfers are serving hundreds of thousands of households that were previously facing the predicament of whether to cut back on essentials in order to provide their children with food and school supplies. Such transfers decreased the likelihood of child poverty by 13.6 percentage points in 2023. Funding from the EU is especially important in facing regional imbalances and persistent poverty. The EU Cohesion Policy for 2021–2027 continues to support the improvement of infrastructure, as well as increased employment opportunities and vocational training. Additionally, billions of leva have been allocated by the Human Resources Development Programme to promote entrepreneurial activity, fund improved childcare and train employees. According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, hundreds of thousands of Bulgarians have completed the training.

An NGO’s Impact

According to the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN), Bulgaria not only advocates for fairer wages and more inclusive social policies, but also directly assists households during energy crises. Thousands of families received such energy assistance, according to the EAPN’s 2023 Poverty Watch. The group has demanded that the government raise the minimum wage and pension, tax more equitably and guarantee that all disadvantaged populations receive proper support.

Looking Ahead

Bulgaria is moving towards the goal of leaving no one behind, thanks to national transfers alleviating child poverty, EU cohesion funds increasing access to education and jobs and civil organizations supporting vulnerable households. The most critical first step that is needed in the fight against inequality is the recognition that an issue as widespread as poverty affects millions of lives that have untold potential.

– Clara Garza

Clara is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Elderly Poverty in Togo: The Fight for Dignity and Support

Elderly Poverty in TogoElderly poverty in Togo is a serious and often overlooked issue. Public discussions usually center on youth employment or general health, leaving out many older citizens, especially those who worked in informal jobs without retirement benefits. This article looks at the institutional and social factors behind elderly poverty in Togo and shows how reforms and local efforts can help restore dignity and support for this vulnerable group.

The Structural Drivers of Exclusion

The main reason many older people are poor is that the formal social security system leaves them out. More than 86% of Togolese workers are in the informal sector, and they do not have access to the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) retirement system. As a result, only about 20% of elderly people get a formal pension. This means that almost four out of five older citizens do not have a secure income in retirement. The problem is even worse in rural areas, where nearly 59% of people live in poverty.

Health Care Crisis: A Universal Gap

The income crisis is made worse by major problems in health care. More than 91% of elderly people do not have reliable health insurance. This lack of insurance significantly affects their overall well-being, contributing to multidimensional poverty. Health insecurities intersect with income disparities to limit their access to essential services and weaken their social voice and agency. When medical emergencies happen, families often have to spend their limited savings on care, which keeps the cycle of poverty going from one generation to the next. Without addressing these interconnected issues, focusing solely on income support will leave human development efforts incomplete.

Research in Lomé shows that more than half of older adults living in the community report poor health, and many have chronic illnesses. Because so few have insurance, there is an urgent need for policy changes to reduce suffering and financial hardship.

Government Action and Policy Impasse

The Togolese government recognizes the importance of universal coverage and has begun expanding social safety nets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Novissi program used mobile money to send targeted cash transfers to people in need. This showed that the country can deliver broad and efficient support, setting an example for future programs.

Local activists are lobbying the government to transition this successful model into a permanent, unconditional cash transfer program targeting the extremely poor and vulnerable. The government is also working to compile a Unified Social Registry and provide biometric identification to all citizens, which are indispensable steps for an accurate, scaled-up cash transfer policy.

However, progress toward universal coverage is stalled because there is no decision yet on how to fund the Assurance Maladie Universelle (AMU) for the most vulnerable people. Policymakers need to choose whether to fund this insurance through taxes, worker contributions or both. This choice will decide if the poorest people remain excluded.

Community Resilience: Local Safety Nets

Since there is no comprehensive safety net, community-led groups play a key role in providing financial and social support. Traditional savings and loan cooperatives, called tontines or Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), are an important local safety net. In Togo, these cooperatives make up most of the microfinance sector, serving 80% of clients — about 212,000 people — and providing access to credit and savings without requiring collateral. For example, in the village of Tomé, VSLAs with about 25 members help people save money together and take out loans. This allows them to invest in their farms or pay for urgent needs, such as emergencies.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are also helping vulnerable people improve their farming. One project supported people with disabilities and small farmers by drilling additional wells for water and starting new activities, such as beekeeping. This helped about 22,000 people in Togo build a better future.

Looking Ahead

Ultimately, solving elderly poverty in Togo demands a dual strategy: institutionalizing successful digital cash transfers and securing dedicated funding for social benefits to protect the 80% of the elderly population excluded, while continuing to amplify community-led resilience efforts. Securing dignity and support for older citizens is not just a moral duty; it is a critical investment in the nation’s future stability.

– David Kohen

David is based in British Columbia, Canada and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Elderly Poverty in Guinea-Bissau

Elderly Poverty in Guinea-BissauIn the villages and rural communities of Guinea-Bissau, elderly citizens, who occupy about 3.1% of the population, struggle each day to survive on limited resources, resulting in poverty and neglect overshadowing their years of experience. Guinea-Bissau is a small country located in West Africa with a population of more than two million people. Its economy primarily depends on agriculture, with exports including fish, cotton, cashew nuts and groundnuts. However, deep-rooted challenges such as corruption, war damage, inflation and poverty prevent the nation from meeting the needs and hopes of its people. With more than two-thirds of the population living below the poverty line, the elderly, who make up 3.14% of the population, remain among the most vulnerable. Guinea-Bissau must address elderly poverty and strengthen social support to ensure dignity and well-being for older citizens. Here is more information about elderly poverty in Guinea-Bissau.

Challenges That the Elderly Population Face

Elderly poverty occurs when people of the older generation, typically 65 years and older, experience financial insecurity and limited access to basic resources. This issue creates serious concern in Guinea-Bissau, where economic instability and a weak social support system increase the vulnerability of the aging population.

The pension system in Guinea-Bissau plays a major role in causing elderly poverty in Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau operates two pension schemes: a public one for government employees and a private scheme that the National Social Security Institute (INSS) oversees. However, both systems face serious challenges. Most citizens work in the informal sector and therefore do not receive formal pension benefits. Irregular government funding and financial strain weaken the public scheme, while the private system suffers from administrative inefficiency and weak oversight.

These issues leave many elderly citizens without social protection and steady income, making Guinea Bissau’s case severe compared to other West African countries. Pensions cover only about 2.9% of the workforce in Guinea-Bissau, leaving 97% of working adults without a financial safety net after retirement. Most elderly citizens rely on support from family members or community networks to survive. Those without family assistance often face extreme poverty and food insecurity, and they often lack of access to health care.

Efforts Towards a Brighter Future

Despite these difficulties and challenges, several organizations support the elderly and work to reduce poverty in Guinea-Bissau. Organizations such as Caritas Guinea-Bissau provide health care, food security and community support for vulnerable groups. Since its establishment in 1982, Caritas Guinea-Bissau has built 41 parishes and missions. It leads programs in health, food security, training and emergency response, particularly in rural communities, to benefit people of the older generation.

Community and faith-based initiatives also address elderly poverty and social support in Guinea-Bissau. Ajuda Amiga’s program in Guinea-Bissau manages direct relief programs that distribute food, clothing and medicine to communities in need each year, focusing on elderly citizens who lack pensions or family support.

The Church of the Nazarene in Guinea-Bissau contributes through its mobile clinic initiative, relaunched in 2023. Teams of local and international medical volunteers operate mobile health units that travel to remote areas, offering primary care, vaccinations and health education. Together, these organizations bring humanitarian relief and long-term development by ensuring that elderly citizens receive both care and representation.

Looking Ahead

According to the World Bank, developing Guinea-Bissau’s human capital remains critical to breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving long-term sustainable growth. The country must improve access to health care and rural development while creating a national pension system that protects citizens of the older generation. Promoting public awareness about the value of elder care will help citizens recognize support for older generations as both a social and economic responsibility within the country.

– Emmanuel Fagbemide

Emmanuel is based in Winnipeg, Canada and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Elderly Poverty in Senegal

Elderly poverty in SenegalWhile Senegal has made tremendous improvements in its economic growth within the last decade, many still overlook the issue of elderly poverty. Senegal has experienced strong growth and made strides in reducing general poverty, but older citizens continue to face serious financial hardship. Elderly poverty in Senegal is a challenge the country has faced before, but now it is time to examine it through a different lens and explore what solutions exist.

The Numbers

According to a 2018 World Bank report, only 7% of elderly citizens in Senegal live in extreme poverty. While this statistic brings hope for the elderly community, household numbers create a stark reality.

According to the “Senegal: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper,” roughly 56% of households headed by a person over 60 live in poverty. Although these households make up just 6% of the population, they represent 19% of all households living in poverty. This data highlights that when older people serve as the main providers, the risk of poverty increases significantly.

Life for Older People in Poverty

Elderly poverty in Senegal means relying almost entirely on younger family members for food, shelter and medical bills. When families cannot provide, older adults face hunger, lack of medicine and isolation. 

Formal pension and social insurance coverage remains limited in Senegal, leaving many older people without a steady income, and rural elders face extra hurdles including long travel times to health facilities and transport barriers that reduce their access to care. These barriers prevent many older Senegalese from living independently.

Plan Sésame

To address some of the challenges faced by older citizens, the Senegalese government created Plan Sésame in 2006. This plan was set up as a health coverage program for people aged 60 and over. Plan Sésame aimed to provide free medical care in all the country’s public health facilities. 

The vast majority of elderly people in Senegal do not receive a pension and rely heavily on family members for financial support. Health care costs often compete with other basic needs like food and shelter; this dependence places older people in a vulnerable position, without the resources to make choices about their health. 

While data on exact numbers reached is limited, research suggests thousands of seniors benefit annually from the program, especially in urban areas. Rural elders, however, sometimes face challenges in using the program because of transportation barriers and shortages of medical staff. Expanding Plan Sésame’s reach and ensuring equitable access remain crucial steps.

Economic Growth

Senegal’s economy began to recover in 2021 after the downturn that COVID-19 caused. The country recorded a substantial reduction in poverty due to strong economic performance during the 2010s. Despite challenges such as rising food and energy prices that the war in Ukraine caused, Senegal’s economy remained resilient in 2022. The average GDP growth rate stood at about 5%, and the incidence of poverty fell from 43% to 37.8%. Yet, these improvements have not reached everyone equally. Elders who cannot work or access social safety nets are often left behind, missing out on the benefits of economic growth.

Looking Forward

Senegal has the potential to lift even more citizens out of poverty if it invests further in elderly care. Strengthening Plan Sésame, creating pension schemes for informal workers, and improving transportation to health facilities could give older adults better access to care and independence. Addressing elderly poverty in Senegal is not only a moral responsibility but also a crucial step toward building a more inclusive economy that supports citizens of all ages.

– Arielle Telfort

Arielle is based in Purchase, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Elderly Poverty in Liberia

Elderly Poverty in LiberiaLiberia is located on the Atlantic Coast and borders Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Its capital and largest city is Monrovia. Spanning approximately 111,000 square kilometers, Liberia is characterized by flat coastal plains, hills and inland mountains. Situated between 4°N and 8°N latitude, the country experiences a tropical, humid climate throughout the year.

The elderly population in Liberia, defined as those aged 65 and above, comprises approximately 2.8% of the total population, or roughly 147,000 people. Of these, approximately 61% are “young-old” (65–74 years), 23% are “middle-old” (75–84 years), and 16% are “old-old” (85 years and older). More than half (55%) live in rural areas. Many elderly Liberians face significant hardships driven by poverty, limited social safety nets and minimal pension coverage. Most have not worked in the formal sector, leaving them without pension benefits. Many are survivors of prolonged civil conflict and economic hardship, relying heavily on family or community support for survival. Here is more information about elderly poverty in Liberia.

The Plight of Elderly Poverty in Liberia

In exploring the plight of the elderly in Liberia: challenges, social conditions and support initiatives, stories of elderly Liberians reveal harsh realities. Martha Nyemah, aged 96, lost two children to war, and the remaining two left Liberia. Currently, she depends on a distant relative who pushes her in a wheelbarrow to beg on the streets of Monrovia. These examples highlight widespread issues of abandonment, social discrimination and poverty among the elderly in Liberia.

Many elderly people in Liberia experience rejection, accusations of witchcraft and neglect from family or community members. Due to the breakdown of extended family support systems and the absence of comprehensive state welfare programs, most live in poverty or must resort to begging to survive. While some national pension schemes exist, they cover only a small fraction of the elderly, leaving most without financial security.

Context of Elderly Poverty in Liberia

Liberia traditionally values extended family ties, which provide informal care for elders. However, economic hardship and societal shifts are weakening these bonds. The government lacks specific agencies or infrastructure dedicated to elder care, and most seniors are cared for at home by relatives who often lack the necessary resources and skills for proper elderly care. Formal institutions, such as long-term care facilities, are often nonexistent, leaving families and informal networks to provide for aging members.

US Support to Liberia

The United States (U.S.) plays a significant role in addressing some of the challenges faced by the elderly population. The U.S. mainly supports Liberia through humanitarian aid, development assistance and health programs. Over recent years, it has pledged billions of dollars; for the fiscal years of2023 and 2024, aid figures hovered around $167.5 million annually. Agencies such as USAID, the Department of State and military programs provide significant resources.

In 2023, approximately $167.5 million went toward supporting economic development, health care, education and infrastructure. U.S. military hospitals received donations of medical equipment, including endoscopic tools to improve diagnosis and treatment. USAID has historically funded programs targeting malaria, maternal health, HIV/AIDS and community health. However, recent reductions in aid, especially from USAID, have caused setbacks. Shortages of medicines, reduced healthcare services, and disruptions in essential programs like HIV prevention and maternal care have emerged. Community grants from the U.S. embassy aim to support local projects, but the overall decline in aid hampers progress.

Despite ongoing partnerships, funding cuts threaten long-term health and development programs. Nonetheless, efforts to support the elderly in Liberia, including addressing challenges, improving social conditions, and implementing support initiatives, continue with contributions from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as HelpAge International and the National Senior Citizens Federation, which work to improve the lives of older people. These organizations provide health care, nutrition, mobility aids, psychosocial assistance and advocate for the rights of elders — vital in a context where formal elder care infrastructure is lacking.

How GAROP is Addressing Elderly Poverty in Liberia

Liberia faces challenges in caring for its aging population. However, international and local organizations offer hope. Many NGOs and community groups, such as Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) and HelpAge International, are actively working to enhance the well-being of older adults.

The Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) has supported several concrete projects in Liberia with a focus on advocacy, emergency response and capacity-building for organizations that support older people. GAROP supported the National Old Folks of Liberia, Inc. (NOFOL) to organize a public rally on April 4, 2024. This event brought together elders and advocates to demand the passage of a bill establishing a National Commission for the Elderly and to encourage Liberia’s participation and support of a UN Convention on the Rights of Older People. The rally provided a public platform for elderly Liberians to voice their needs and directly influence policymakers.

GAROP’s collaboration with the Coalition of Caregivers and Advocates for the Elderly in Liberia (COCAEL)—a network of 16 NGOs—has centered on advocacy, ensuring elderly inclusion in national health and social policies, especially during the Ebola and COVID-19 crises. The “Global Fight Against Ageism Project” in Liberia highlighted the exclusion of older people from initial emergency response structures and urged the government to improve representation.

HelpAge International’s Efforts

HelpAge International is working in Liberia by partnering with the Center for Community Advancement and Family Empowerment (CECAFE) to improve the lives of older people through community development, advocacy and service programs. The partnership focuses on building the capacity of communities to better serve vulnerable groups, especially the elderly and organizing national conferences, campaigns and networks to enhance support for older people.

The CECAFE–HelpAge collaboration influenced government policy to include the well-being of older people in national crisis responses, such as the Ebola response and subsequent humanitarian planning, where the needs of the elderly had previously been overlooked.

Distribution campaigns, coordinated through the partnership and the COCAEL network, delivered food, health supplies, and preventive awareness materials to vulnerable elderly people during and after the Ebola outbreak, reaching residents in old folks’ homes and community-dwelling seniors in various parts of Liberia.

Social work students received expanded training and practical internships through CECAFE, building local capacity for professional social support to vulnerable groups, including the elderly. This has created a pipeline of practitioners with direct community service skills.

Looking Ahead

In conclusion, Liberia’s elderly population confronts significant hardships due to poverty, social discrimination, and a lack of formal care systems. However, ongoing international support, particularly from the U.S. and NGOs, helps to address some of these gaps. Greater awareness and targeted efforts are needed to ensure that Liberia’s elders can age with dignity, security and access to essential services.

 – Joan F. Avila

Joan is based in Alexandria, VA, USA, and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Elderly Poverty in the Solomon Islands

Addressing Elderly Poverty in the Solomon Islands The Solomon Islands, a group of 992 islands in the South Pacific near New Guinea and Australia, has a population of more than 800,000. The Solomon Islands and Australia share a long history that has resulted in economic, infrastructural and developmental progress. The island country is vulnerable to natural disasters such as tropical storms, tsunamis and earthquakes, and the region also has active volcanic activity. The islands face food insecurity and malnutrition, with main exports including copra, cocoa and timber. Elderly poverty in the Solomon Islands is an issue that receives little discussion within the country. The country’s poverty rate is 25%, and 80% of the Solomon Islands’ population lives in rural areas.

Nonprofit organizations such as the West ‘Are’ Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) work to reduce poverty and uplift the social status of women in the Solomon Islands. The government of Australia works closely with the Solomon Islands through Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) program, aiming to improve the quality of life, boost the economy and strengthen the country’s resilience. With elderly Solomon Islanders being the most vulnerable, assistance from the neighboring country supports healthier outcomes against elderly poverty.

Elderly Population

The elderly population of the Solomon Islands over the age of 65 is 5%. As they are the most vulnerable population, the elderly need as much assistance as possible to continue living their lives with friends and family. Many elderly people are susceptible to noncommunicable diseases such as strokes, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes. The elderly Solomon Islanders in poverty suffer from the lack of basic health care needs, food insecurity, malnutrition and hunger. With a majority of the population living in rural areas in general, the elderly suffer without access to transportation, food or clean water.

Transportation and Health Care

Many Solomon Islanders travel via boat to different islands for work or other necessities. Without access to transportation, the elderly island people have difficulty getting the care they need. In the capital city of Honira, 75% of the doctors work in the National Referral Hospital (NRH), while a majority of the nation’s population lives in rural areas.

NRH is known to be the best hospital in the country because of its access to resources, quality care and accessible location on the main island, Guadalcanal. NRH connects with organizations such as the Australian Volunteer Program to work alongside local hospitals and clinics to provide care to young and elderly patients. Education programs such as the Postgraduate Diploma of Rural Medicine enable provincial doctors to work in rural hospitals and clinics as specialists.

Australia’s Official Development Assistance Program

Australia’s goal in its partnership with the Solomon Islands is to make the country more stable and prosperous. To make this goal possible, the ODA has three objectives. The first objective is creating more job opportunities, building economic growth and infrastructure. The second objective is investing in the Solomon Islands people and communities. Finally, the third objective is improving stability and resilience in the Solomon Islands.

Reducing the Poverty Rate

The Solomon Islands’ National Development Strategy (NDS) is a government-led plan to improve the Solomon Islands’ economy, infrastructure, workforce and bring poverty down to 5% by 2035. This long-term plan focuses on “improving the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders.” In reducing the poverty rate, the government of the Solomon Islands plans to focus on the basic needs of the native people, such as sanitation, transportation, clean water and food security, increasing employment and job security and resolving gender inequality for women and people with disabilities.

Looking Ahead

Through surrounding countries and island nations, the resources needed to improve elderly poverty in the Solomon Islands are available, though progress comes in steps. Australia’s government provides support through ODA, along with branches of government organizations and nonprofits working alongside the Solomon Islands. The country’s own government has long-term plans to address poverty and is actively taking steps to support even the most vulnerable people, including the elderly. Together, these efforts look to create a path toward lasting progress and a stronger future for the Solomon Islands.

Gene A. Lambey, Jr.

Gene is based in Washington, D.C., USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr