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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

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In-Home Health Care Strategy: Reducing Elderly Poverty in Norway

Elderly Poverty in NorwayThe Norwegian health care system is often cited as one of the most efficient, accessible and patient-oriented nationwide health services available. In 2024, the Scandinavian country’s universal health care structure earned a number five ranking in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation, a measure the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity uses to assess health care quality for 32 high-income nations.

With world-class infrastructure and prestigious credentials, Norway’s exemplary health care system offers a template for socialized coverage that neighboring countries often look to adopt. Despite its strengths, Norway’s health care system faces challenges that could leave its aging population in the margins. Fortunately, Norway’s ever-advancing welfare technology offers promising solutions. Here are the upcoming challenges older Norwegians face in securing adequate health care and how this relates to old-age poverty in Norway. 

How Norway’s Health Care System Works

Norway’s decentralized health care system allows for a higher degree of municipal management, providing a regionally tailored experience for patients across the country. National and municipal taxes fund Norway’s health care infrastructure: a system of four Regional Health Authorities that cover residents’ health insurance and oversee the country’s 20 hospital trusts.

In 2023, 11% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) accounted for health care spending. As of 2025, around one in 10 Norwegians receives private health insurance. The 2012 Public Health Act reflects Norway’s policy-forward approach to health care by making health a priority in all public service management. A well-integrated blend of national and local oversight for health care services leaves Norwegian residents with a considerable social safety net; however, recent concerns have arisen surrounding the rising costs of sustaining such a system. In particular, elderly poverty in Norway will disproportionately affect the elderly who face low socioeconomic status. 

Strained Health Care Services

As in many other developed countries, Norway’s increasing life expectancy places a significant strain on assisted living facilities that are already understaffed. From 2007 to 2017 alone, demand for nursing services jumped by 18% Per projections, demand could increase in the coming years, as 250,000 more Norwegians older than 80 will add to the country’s population in the next two decades.

Notably, the past decade saw a 37.9% increase in the number of Norwegians ages 67 to 79, a landmark figure. All the while, in the short span from 2015 to 2018, the country’s nursing home availability decreased by 2%. Old age often brings increased vulnerability to isolation and stigma, which can deter individuals from seeking care—heightening risks to both health and financial stability. Unfortunately, discrepancies exist in which Norwegians are most likely to experience these injustices as they age. 

Access to Health Care

Older Norwegians with differing educational attainment and income levels, which are often interdependent, see notable discrepancies in available health care. For example, a difference in life expectancy of up to seven years exists between Oslo’s districts. A 2024 study, highlighting higher mortality rates for elderly patients discharged to under-resourced municipalities, speaks to the social gradient that Norwegian elderly experience. Rural municipalities with populations of 10,000 or fewer, where 17% of Norwegians live, are particularly underserved. Furthermore, a higher educational degree can add four years to the life expectancy of Norwegians 65 or older, compared to those with a lower degree.

Norwegians without a high socioeconomic status may lack the financial stability to afford the costs of living in municipalities with more abundant health care services. Even when they can, only two in five patients living in municipalities with populations of 50,000 or more register for a nursing home within 15 days of requesting one. Clearly, intra-municipality competition for aging services exacerbates regional inequalities in nursing home availability. With such sparse resources, the existing social safety net may not sufficiently protect the country’s aging population from old-age poverty. 

What Elderly Poverty Means for Aging Norwegians

With current levels of competition for nursing home services, elderly poverty in Norway is at risk of increasing in the coming years. As older Norwegians are discharged early from hospitals to underserved municipalities, they may be more likely to require future care. Consistent transitions in and out of hospitals can accumulate costs over time, while the proactive care nursing homes could provide often remains out of reach for elderly people without the means to finance it.

A 2022 study also noted cases in which Norwegian employees took sick leave to care for their elderly parents. Thus, elderly poverty can become generational if aging parents depend on their children to provide the services that municipal health care doesn’t have the bandwidth to. While Norway’s nursing home services are not at a capacity to sustain current and future demand, technological advances in in-home care have the potential to address this shortcoming.

The Path Forward

The future of equal health care and prevention of old-age poverty in Norway is complex, with elderly health care needs differing between rural and urban municipalities. With 38.5% of Norway’s elderly aged 65 and older living alone, local health care services are looking to welfare technology to sustain in-home care as an alternative to nursing homes. Home installments designed to detect signs of distress and enhance autonomy enable older Norwegians to maintain a sense of independence and forgo the transition to a nursing home environment as they age.

While relieving pressure on crowded, assisted living facilities, Norwegian elderly will be able to preserve their financial resources and social networks, promoting personal resilience to otherwise life-disrupting events. In-home aging technology may still be out of reach for some older Norwegians due to socioeconomic discrepancies, but this innovation will play a central role in reducing current and future elderly poverty in Norway.

– Isla Hansen

Isla is based in Spokane, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Elderly Poverty in Andorra: Navigating a Rapidly Aging Future

Elderly Poverty in AndorraElderly poverty in Andorra poses challenges, but also opens the door for innovation. By focusing on disease prevention, healthy aging and stronger social protections, the country can reduce health care costs while empowering seniors to stay active and valued. This can only be possible with strategic reforms. Andorra is set to lead Europe in building a sustainable, dignified future and demographic change.

Elderly Poverty in Andorra

 In Andorra, about 22% of retirees – people aged 65 and older — are considered at risk of poverty. That is higher than the overall poverty risk of 13%. Without social benefits, the elderly poverty rate could climb nearly 30%.

Several factors contribute to this elevated risk of elderly poverty. One key issue is inequality in the pension system as many long-term contributors receive contributory pensions below the minimum wage (currently around 1,431 euros each month), whereas non-contributory solidarity pensions can be significantly higher—sometimes even three times as much—creating unfair disparities among retirees.      

Experts have predicted that the elderly age group in Andorra will increase at the quickest rate in Europe due to rising life expectancy and falling fertility. In the absence of improvements, Andorra’s health care and pension spending will likely rise 8.8 percentage points of GDP by 2050 compared to 2022. This increase may severely strain state finances, necessitating changes to other spending, an increase in revenue, or a rise in the national debt. Any nation must make these kinds of adjustments, but a microstate like Andorra, which is more prone to shocks, will likely find it especially difficult. 

Health Care in Andorra

In 2022, adults 65 and older made up 15% of Andorra’s population — among the lowest shares in the EU — but the figure is expected to climb to 37% by 2050, the highest among its peers, U.N. data shows. The shares for residents 80 and older is projected to rise from 4% to 13% in the same period, driving up health care costs, as this age group spends more than three times its population share on care, according to CASS.

Early disease detection and prevention can reduce health care costs, especially as Andorra’s growing elderly poverty requires more care. By promoting healthy aging and expanding prevention programs, like routine checks, the country can improve productivity, extend working years, strengthen pensions and limit medical expenses.

Pensions in Andorra

Andorra’s government is proposing a minimum pension for contributory pensions that is equal to the minimum wage to help address elderly poverty. Prerequisites for the pension are that applicants have contributed to it for at least 40 years and have not chosen to retire early.

On June 1, 2025, the Andorran government chose to boost the pension for low-income retirees and raised Social Security pensions that fell below the minimum inter-professional wage by 3.67%. Individuals who have contributed for at least 25 years will qualify for retirement pensions, and widows’ and widowers’ pensions. The government also offers pensions for illnesses related to work, and disability pensions for both occupational and non-occupational accidents. for common work-related illnesses.

The Takeaway

Andorra’s aging population, while challenging, presents an opportunity for reform and growth. By investing in prevention, promoting healthy aging and aligning pensions with the minimum wage, the country can protect vulnerable seniors, lower the risk of elderly poverty in Andorra, reduce health care costs and extend workforce participation. With smart planning, these measures could turn demographic pressures into sustainable and dignified models, positioning Andorra as a leader in adapting to Europe’s demographic shifts. 

– Joshua Pettis

Joshua is based in Houston, TX, USA and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Elderly Poverty in Japan and the Rise of Lonely Deaths

Elderly Poverty in JapanMore than 70,000 lonely deaths occurred all across Japan in 2024. Most were above 65, in poverty and lacking resources for health care. There is evidence of a silent crisis: social isolation, an increase in elderly poverty in Japan and the rise of reports of kodokushi or “lonely death.”

According to a 2024 study by the National Police Agency, the elderly population in Japan makes up 76% of solitary deaths. Experts believe this is a public health emergency with contributions from weak social safety nets and shifts in family structures.

Scope of the Crisis

Living alone is now common for older adults in Japan. The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research reports that 19.4% of seniors age 65 and older currently live alone. This shift reflects Japan’s low birth rate, shrinking family units and increasing urban migration.

According to the World Bank, 30% of Japanese adults are above 65. Experts expect that number to rise, with elderly single households estimated to increase by 47% by 2050. This creates a society where aging in isolation becomes increasingly unavoidable due to limited funds and inadequate elder care infrastructure.

Causes of Lonely Death Among the Elderly

Japan is one of the fastest-aging societies in the world, with 29.1% of its population now aged 65 or older. Meanwhile, multigenerational households are disappearing. Multigenerational households dominated half of Japan’s families in 1980 but shrank to 12.2% by 2015.

Cultural norms previously dictated that children cared for aging parents. But economic pressures, migration and social stigma around dependence have shattered those expectations, creating an increase in elderly poverty in Japan. According to Matthew Penney, almost 20% of Japan’s elderly struggle with relative income poverty.

Loneliness and Isolation

The economic consequences are severe. Elder poverty in Japan is high, almost double the average for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). According to the Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, most single older women in Japan live below the poverty line. They are also likely to outlive their spouses and suffer in silence rather than ask for help.

These women are extremely vulnerable. Many of them have no pension or savings because they spent most of their lives as homemakers. Social isolation further compounds the problem. A white paper from Japan’s Cabinet Office confirms the rise in levels of loneliness among seniors, proving that isolation increases the risk of both depression and death.

Promising Solutions

To address the crisis of social isolation, the Japanese government funds new programs such as dementia cafés. These cafés are part of The New Orange Plan, designed to foster connection and reduce loneliness. There is also considerable development in community centers to intervene early on.

Local organizations, such as the Zero Isolation Project, are advocating for more robust volunteer programs and increased awareness campaigns. Offering services that include volunteer visits and support services, Japan is banding together to help the elderly population feel less alone.

Final Remarks

Addressing Japan’s elderly crisis provides a global model for aging care and preventative measures. When governments take action to support the elderly poor, they ensure people have the resources they need to feel safe and supported. 

– Nicole Fernandez

Nicole is based in Reno, NV, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Aging in Silence: Combating Elderly Poverty in Comoros

Elderly Poverty in ComorosEmpty porches, quiet villages across Comoros mask a hidden crisis; countless elderly are slipping into poverty with few protections to catch them. However, recent reforms and community-led projects have offered a path toward dignity and renewal.

A Crisis of Aging Without Support

Comoros is a lower-middle-income archipelago of about 866,000 people. Poverty remains widespread; approximately 38% of the population lived below the $3.65 per day poverty line in 2024. This hardship is concentrated in rural areas, where elderly individuals often lack stable income, pensions or access to basic services.

There is no universal pension system. Many older adults continue subsistence farming into advanced age, often when health limits their work. With adult children migrating to Mayotte, France or mainland Africa, elders can be left isolated, reliant on intermittent remittances or community goodwill.

Remittances from Comorians abroad are a financial lifeline, contributing roughly 25% of gross domestic product (GDP). They offer crucial short-term support but cannot substitute systemic protection. Their distribution is uneven, especially among disadvantaged older women and those on remote islands.

Many older people in Comoros suffer from chronic illnesses such as hypertension, arthritis, diabetes and visual impairment, conditions that worsen without consistent access to health care. Mental health concerns, including depression and cognitive decline, are common among older adults, especially those living in isolation or without financial security.

Poverty impacts older women more severely than men in Comoros. Due to lower lifetime earnings, informal labor participation and gender inequality in property ownership, women are less likely to have savings or access to land or inheritance. Older women are also more likely to be widowed and live alone, making them more vulnerable to poverty and neglect.

Building Hope Through Social Protection

In 2023, the World Bank approved a $30 million grant to strengthen the country’s social safety net. The funds support cash transfers for the chronically poor, climate-sensitive public works and income-generating programs reaching more than 40,000 households. While not specifically for older adults, the program lays essential groundwork for broader inclusion.

A Vision of Inclusion

Comoros is at a pivotal moment: economic growth is projected to reach 4% by 2027, partly fueled by remittances, tourism and public investments connected to the Comoros Emergent 2030 plan. Yet without urgent, elder-focused policies, the nation risks leaving its seniors behind.

By weaving elders into economic plans through pensions, health care, community conservation and blue economy jobs, Comoros can recognize and repay the generation that nurtured it through adversity. Support from the diaspora, international donors and NGOs could align with government efforts to create a society where leaders can age with dignity.

With determined leadership and sustained investment, Comoros could transform elderly poverty from a silent crisis into a story of resilience and shared prosperity.

– Reign Lankford

Reign is based in Houston, TTX, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Elderly Poverty in the Marshall Islands

Elderly Poverty in Republic of the Marshall IslandsFor those living in elderly poverty in the Marshall Islands, the challenges and hardships they face may have roots in the country’s economy and society. People within the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) view economic insecurity as a problem as it controls the availability of social security or pension systems. These systems are very limited or inadequate, leaving many of the elderly vulnerable. For example, although health care has improved in RMI, it may be difficult for elders in poverty to access it as a great number of the population is dispersed around the islands.

Elderly poverty in the Marshall Islands also has links to food insecurity. Droughts and increased storms impact the RMI, with both causing a decrease in natural food and water supplies, as well as limiting imports of food and triggering disease outbreaks. Those living in elderly poverty may also experience inadequate housing or loss of coastal homes due to the sea levels rising and storm patterns.

The main cause of elderly poverty in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is due to the dependence on the United States for jobs. Due to the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the citizens of the Marshall Islands can live and work in the U.S. without visas.

This dependence on the U.S. to provide jobs creates no gainful employment opportunities for Marshallese citizens on-island. Some citizens rely on those migrating out for jobs to send out goods as their support.

Changing Weather Patterns

Major natural hazards due to changing weather patterns in the Marshall islands are sea level rise, droughts and tropical storms and typhoons. Threats from droughts and saltwater intrusion make freshwater scarce throughout the islands. This lack of water undermines food security, which increases reliance on imports to supplement nutrients. The imported food can often be unhealthy and are a risk for those already living with certain health risks such as diabetes, obesity or other infectious diseases.

Limited Health Care Access

The RMI population is strewn across the various islands, making it difficult to provide the citizens with proper health care. Stigmas surrounding illnesses and a trust in traditional healing also encourages the Marshallese to delay seeking proper care.

The Marshallese hold certain cultural values that prevent them from receiving proper medical aid as they may not seek treatment until symptoms become severe. Illnesses such as leprosy, HIV and tuberculosis can cause the afflicted Marshallese to experience discrimination due to the severe stigmas surrounding the illnesses. This also causes the afflicted to avoid seeking proper care. 

Lack of Formal Social Security

While the Marshall Islands has a social insurance system providing old-age benefits, it is not the same as the universal old-age benefit system. The key difference is the availability to all residents regardless of contribution. The old-age pension benefit system within the Marshall Islands outlines a qualifying age of 61, each qualifier would receive a three-month period of coverage earned by a certain amount of work under social security.

Solutions

The Senior Citizens Act of 2018 in the RMI establishes a government policy of supporting senior citizens and promoting elderly well-being as well as societal participation.

Developing formal social security as a solution can help elderly poverty in the Marshall Islands, as eligible retirees receive regular payments that will supply a crucial source of income. Along with this, benefits can extend to a wider range of people in vulnerable groups such as older women, those with lower income and those with less access to private retirement savings or pensions.

A wider availability of benefits will also provide more freedom when it comes to retirement choices. A formal social security system will also incorporate life insurance and disability insurance components. This system would also extend to the younger population, as well as to individuals with severe disabilities.

– Eva Wakelin

Eva is based in Atlanta, GA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Colombia’s Pension Reform is Fighting Poverty

Colombia’s Pension ReformDuring a person’s working years, a portion of their income is set aside and invested in a fund that grows over time. This money can only be accessed after retirement, providing a stable income when they are no longer working. Pensions are essential for helping elderly people avoid poverty after they retire.

Elderly Poverty in Colombia

The South American country of Colombia has a population of approximately 50 million people, of which more than 7 million (14%) are above the age of 60. According to a study conducted by the Institute of Aging at Colombia’s Javeriana University, 28.4% of this population (or 1.8 million) are living below the poverty line. The study also found that more than one million people in this age demographic are “victims of Colombia’s armed conflict,” which has been going on for decades

Inflation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted many countries, including Colombia. Since 2021, the inflation rate has grown exponentially, peaking at 13.34% in March 2023. While the current rate is much lower, the effects of inflation are still widely present. These effects are especially difficult for elderly people, who often rely on fixed incomes and have limited opportunities to increase their earnings.

In 2023, Colombia’s pension plan only covered 25.5% of the elderly population, according to Bloomberg Linea. This situation leads many older Colombians to extend their working lives, often taking on informal and poorly paid jobs. This is an issue that is more noticeable in rural areas

This is an issue that will continue to become more palpable over time. In 2015, only 10.8% of Colombia’s population was over 60. By 2050, that number will increase to 27.5%

Passage of the Law

While Colombia’s pension reform was a significant issue for years, it became the forefront of Colombian politics in 2022 with the electoral success of Gustavo Petro to the presidency. During the campaign, he promised many social reforms, including pension reform.

His promise came to fruition when the Colombian Congress passed the pension reform bill in June 2024, which came into effect in July 2025. Specifically, this new law aims to strengthen the state pension fund, Colpensiones, by requiring individuals who earn less than $800 per month to contribute to the public fund. It also guarantees payments for older adults who have insufficient retirement savings or none at all. The government estimates that approximately 2.6 million older Colombians will benefit from these expanded payments, providing long-overdue financial security to a vulnerable segment of the population

New Pillar System

The reform also establishes a new “pillar system” that focuses on increasing coverage and efficiency. It divides pension contributions into different pillars based on income levels, thereby encouraging higher-income earners to contribute to private savings while ensuring lower-income workers receive support from the public system. This structure aims to make the overall pension system more inclusive and reduce inequality among retirees.

Additionally, one of the primary objectives of Colombia’s Pension Reform is to combat elderly poverty by offering a guaranteed minimum monthly payment to retirees who did not meet the required weeks of contributions under the old system. This helps ensure that aging citizens who worked informally or intermittently have support in their later years.

While implementation will require significant coordination and public education, the reform is a step toward creating a more equitable retirement system in Colombia.

– William Brentani

William is based in San Francisco, CA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Elderly Poverty in Kyrgyzstan: Challenges and Solutions

Elderly Poverty in KyrgyzstanIn Kyrgyzstan, aging often means slipping into poverty — limited pensions, elder abuse, economic hardship and gaps in health care leave many older adults struggling to survive. The average monthly pension is about 10,547 soms (roughly $108), which is significantly lower than the estimated monthly cost of living of 18,000 to 20,000 soms ($180–$200). The minimum pension is even lower at 6,900 soms ($71). HelpAge International reports that nearly one in three elderly people live below the national poverty line, and about 10% live alone with inadequate care. Here is information about elderly poverty in Kyrgyzstan and efforts to address it.

About Elderly Poverty in Kyrgyzstan

One can trace the roots of elderly poverty in Kyrgyzstan back to the collapse of the Soviet Union, which disrupted pensions, healthcare systems and social services across the region. Many seniors today contributed to the workforce for decades but now receive pensions that fail to keep pace with inflation. The country’s fragile economy — which is reliant on agriculture, gold exports and remittances — leaves little room for robust social spending.

Meet Vera Geykina, a 76‑year‑old widow in Bishkek who joined a theater project to raise awareness about elder abuse. Despite being active in her community, her pension barely covers her medication and heating bills. Vera’s story reflects the daily struggles many seniors face in Kyrgyzstan, where public health care access is strained, and personal savings are often depleted within years of retirement.

In rural regions, elderly people often depend on remittances sent by family members working abroad. Migration shifts and economic downturns make these payments unreliable. The World Bank reports that remittances once accounted for more than 30% of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP — underscoring just how dependent households are on this income. However, families often migrate out of necessity, leaving elderly parents behind without consistent physical or emotional support.

Health care poses another severe challenge. According to the UNFPA, elderly Kyrgyz citizens — especially women — face higher rates of chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes and arthritis. However, many cannot afford medications or procedures. Rural clinics are often underfunded, lacking specialists or necessary equipment, while private health care remains out of reach for most pensioners.

Solutions

Despite these hardships, there are promising solutions underway. HelpAge International operates community programs offering financial aid, food deliveries, health care access and legal support for older adults. The Kyrgyz government has also introduced pension adjustments, with the latest raising the average pension to 10,547 soms. Additionally, the Babushka Adoption Foundation connects elderly people without families to international sponsors, providing $10 or more per month — nearly doubling some seniors’ minimum pensions.

– Meral Ciplak

Meral is based in Edmonton, Canada and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Elderly Poverty in Chad

Elderly Poverty in ChadChad is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of North and Central Africa. An independent nation since 1960, Chad is home to approximately 19 million people, of whom more than one million live in its capital, N’Djamena.

Despite its size and important resources like oil, Chad remains one of the most impoverished countries in the world. Poverty stretches to every corner of the country. However, one of the most susceptible victims, older people, are often ignored. Here are some facts about what elderly poverty in Chad looks like and how foreign aid can help minimize it. 

Facts About Elderly Poverty in Chad

  1. Chad has one of the youngest populations in the world, with a life expectancy at birth of 59 years and a median age of 14-15 years. Older adults (65 and above) made up about 7.5% of the population in 1985 but now account for just 3%, making it the smallest age group in Chad. This change reflects the country’s high birth rates and lack of accessibility to food and medical care.
  2. Chad has one of the lowest rates of accessible health care in the world, with the elderly being some of the most susceptible to diseases. Only 31.4% of Chad’s population has regular access to medical care, including doctors, hospitals, treatments and vaccinations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of October 2020, Chad had just 4.3 doctors and 23.2 nurses per 100,000 inhabitants, far below the recommended 23 doctors and 23 nurses per 10,000. Most of these health professionals are concentrated in urban areas, making health care largely inaccessible to rural populations, especially elderly individuals who often face the greatest barriers to medical access.
  3. Noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes, remain the leading cause of death for older people in Chad. Other leading causes of death include malaria, lower respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhoeal diseases like cholera. Elderly patients with diabetes and chronic illnesses, along with children, are the most susceptible to diseases like malaria and pneumonia.
  4. With refugees coming in from neighboring countries like Sudan, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the conflicts in these regions have spilled over into Chad. This instability has made outside trade difficult, leading to a low supply and high demand for essential resources, including food and medical aid.
  5. Chad has the lowest access to clean water and sanitation in the world. Only 43% of the population has access to clean water and just 10% has access to basic sanitation services.
  6. Organizations such as the WHO, the World Food Programme (WFP) and other humanitarian actors are actively working to combat poverty in Chad. In mid‑2024, WFP delivered food, cash and nutrition assistance to approximately one million people across crisis-affected communities, including refugees and internally displaced Chadians. The 2023–24 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Chad sought approximately $921 million in funding and the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated $15 million to address the most underfunded emergencies.

Conclusion

Elderly poverty in Chad remains a critical but often overlooked issue. Limited health care, food insecurity and poor sanitation leave older adults especially vulnerable. While humanitarian aid provides some relief, lasting change requires targeted support and stronger systems to protect Chad’s older population.

– Zoe Alatsas

Zoe is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pickpik

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5 Reforms Addressing Elderly Poverty in Jamaica

Elderly Poverty in JamaicaJamaica, known for its vibrant music and glistening shores, is currently experiencing the harsh reality of elderly poverty. Unknown to the vast majority of the world, seniors in Jamaica grapple with limited financial resources, inadequate health care access and social isolation. According to The Ministry of Health and Wellness, approximately 17% of Jamaica’s population will be 60 or older in 2025. This is a 12% increase from previous years, which will result in more strain on the limited resources already granted to the elderly. However, there is hope on the horizon for them. The Jamaican government is developing policy reforms, financial assistance and community programs to combat elderly poverty in their country. Here are five reforms that are addressing elderly poverty in Jamaica.

1. The Solidarity Program

Dr. Andrew Holness, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, recently announced the country’s Solidarity Program during Jamaica’s 2025 – 2026 National Budget Debate. The program aims to give $20,000 grants to vulnerable citizens in the country. For this program, vulnerable citizens include 50,000 informal workers, low-income earners, marginalized groups and elderly people.

2. Long-Term Care

The Jamaican government is supporting plans the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed to prioritize the long-term care of their elderly. Dr. Christopher Tufton announced that the plans aim to expand palliative and rehabilitative services, boosting elderly participation in routine health screenings and build community-based support systems. 

The plans will be essential to the overall wellbeing of Jamaican elders due to various environmental factors playing a role in their health. There is a growing number of communicable and noncommunicable diseases running rampant in Jamaica, so the World Health Organization’s proposed plans will give seniors a better chance at combating those diseases. The proposed plans will go into effect in the long-term for Jamaica, expanding from 2025 to 2036.

3. Elderly Care and Protection Act

The Jamaican government is also drafting The Elderly Care and Protection Act in recognition of the current laws that offer limited protection to its elderly. The act aims to address the various challenges that Jamaican elderly face in the country, while also defending their rights as aging citizens.

Various reforms aimed at improving the lives of the Jamaican elderly will go into effect if the act is passed, such as legally mandating the reporting of elder abuse. It will also establish the National Elderly Care Fund, which would help subsidize the cost of living and health care for Jamaican elders.

4. New Social Housing Program

Holness also announced that the Jamaican government is increasing the budget into its New Social Housing Program. This will result in 500 units being made for vulnerable citizens in 2024-2025, which includes Jamaican elderly.

With the cost of Jamaica housing rising, it has become almost impossible for the average resident to afford shelter, especially for the elderly. Housing stability is vital for a person’s health, even as they age, so this program will be essential in combating elderly poverty in Jamaica.

5. Social Protection

The World Bank Group is supporting Jamaica’s efforts in anti-poverty, especially for the elderly. In 2024, the World Bank’s Board of Directors approved a new investment program to strengthen Jamaica’s social protection system.

The investment program includes future unemployment benefits and job placement services for the vulnerable population. These interventions, while not exclusive to elderly people, will alleviate the financial pressures on elderly caregivers and those in multigenerational households.

Global Impact

Jamaica’s response to elderly poverty offers a valuable lesson for other developing countries. The government has implemented a multi-pronged approach to resolve the country’s elderly poverty crisis. It focused on financial aid, healthcare reform, legal protections and housing stability. These reforms offer solutions that will improve the lives of the Jamaican elderly, all within the country’s budgeting and resources.

Other countries facing similar challenges can look at Jamaica’s model for addressing elderly poverty, adapting it into their own multi-pronged approach. With focused policy action and the collaboration between various organizations, aging with dignity can become a reality for many in developing countries.

– Jaden Hartfield

Jaden is based in Charlotte, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

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