South Africa, a nation grappling with various tribulations confronts yet another growing challenge: elderly poverty.

The Ageing Index

The rise in the proportion of elderly individuals within the population, referred to as population ageing has become one of the most pertinent issues of the 21st century, affecting nations globally.

The Ageing Index denotes the ratio of individuals aged 60 years and above per 100 individuals less than the age of 15 within a given population. Thus, a higher index signifies a larger proportion of elderly people within a population.

The ageing index in South Africa increased from 30 in 2017, to 33 in 2022, a clear signal of the problem, according to Statistics South Africa. It also reported that in 2022, more than 5 million people were 60 or older. This means that around 9.2% of South Africa’s population comprises the elderly.

Financial Vulnerability

Statistically, one-quarter of all older people could be chronically poor. In addition to this, the University of Natal found that Africans make up almost 90% of chronically poor elderly. This poses a huge threat to the safety and well-being of the elderly population in South Africa. This vulnerability stems from various factors, including inadequate pensions, limited employment opportunities and the burden of supporting extended families.

Root Causes

The elderly in South Africa face a wide range of challenges. Having spent the majority of their lives under an apartheid system, South Africans older than 50 spent their working years under employment restrictions. Thus, one of the main causes of elderly poverty is unemployment. Highly competitive labor markets, without work opportunities for those with poor training and education, serve as a huge hindrance to older workers. Further, limited social protection is another factor that exacerbates elderly poverty in South Africa. The state old age pension system is the only policy in place, however, it is not completely effective due to extended families exploiting the pension, and bureaucratic hurdles. Thus, this policy is unable to help the elderly meet their basic needs, especially in light of rising inflation.

Efforts Towards Alleviation

Efforts to alleviate elderly poverty in South Africa involve various government policies, social programs and initiatives from non-governmental organizations.

The South African government provides social grants to vulnerable groups, including the elderly. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) administered The Old Age Pension in 1928, providing financial assistance to elderly citizens who meet certain criteria. By 1958, the percentage of old age people receiving the grant had risen to 60%.

Government and non-profit organizations run elderly care facilities that provide housing, health care and social support to seniors in need. These facilities aim to improve the quality of life for elderly individuals who may be experiencing poverty. These are in the form of – Retirement villages, Residential Care facilities, Communal living and Abbeyfield homes.

Many community organizations run meal delivery programs that provide nutritious meals to elderly individuals who may have difficulty preparing food themselves due to physical limitations or financial constraints. For example, the Meals on Wheels Association of South Africa (MOWASA) delivers meals to the homes of elderly citizens across the country. Doctor Denis Baird founded it in 1964, and its national program currently comprises more than 700 service points.

Financial Literacy and Empowerment Programs

Some community organizations offer financial literacy workshops and empowerment programs specifically focusing on elderly individuals to help them manage their finances, access available benefits and resources and plan for their future. These programs aim to enhance the economic security and independence of elderly citizens. The Ageing with Dignity (AWD) initiative started in 2009 and provides financial literacy training and resources to elderly individuals in underserved communities.  The primary aim is to prevent loss of dignity due to health issues in old age, mainly stemming from the feeling that one is a burden to the family. Under AWD, anybody above the age of 60 years in the Dakulguda cluster of 15 villages can choose to join the club meant for them, by paying an annual subscription of Rs 10. In the AWD program, there are currently 636 members, which is almost the entire elderly population of the program villages.

– Naysa Seth
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