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Population Ageing in Africa

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Book cover Aging and Health in Africa

Part of the book series: International Perspectives on Aging ((Int. Perspect. Aging,volume 4))

Abstract

Worldwide, the number of persons aged 60 and over has been increasing at an unparalleled rate. Africa, like other parts of the world, is undergoing rapid demographic changes, and, while the population is largely youthful, the proportion of older persons has increased tremendously over the past few decades. This chapter discusses the context of population ageing in Africa and its demographic determinants. In Africa, there are more women aged 60 years and over than men in the population. However, at older ages a far greater percentage of men are married than women. Labour force participation of those aged 60 years and over remains high, but men tend to dominate the elderly workforce. In terms of geographical distribution, the older population are evenly dispersed between rural and urban areas. Life expectancy will increase in all regions of the continent. However, the fastest growth of the ageing population will occur in Northern Africa, followed by Southern Africa. The ageing population of Africa will grow at an accelerated rate over the next few decades, and the inevitability of these demographic trends call for prompt and applicable policy-making and development initiatives.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

    Natashya Kristanna Pillay

  2. School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

    Natashya Kristanna Pillay & Pranitha Maharaj

Authors
  1. Natashya Kristanna Pillay
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  2. Pranitha Maharaj
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Correspondence to Natashya Kristanna Pillay .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Built Environment and Development Studie, University of KwaZulu-Natal, King George 5th Ave, Room F223, Durban, 4041, South Africa

    Pranitha Maharaj

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Pillay, N.K., Maharaj, P. (2013). Population Ageing in Africa. In: Maharaj, P. (eds) Aging and Health in Africa. International Perspectives on Aging, vol 4. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8357-2_2

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