(Photo: Phil Borges, CARE)By K.S.
theMatureMarket.com
Demographic Characteristics
In Cambodia the population ageing phenomenon does not escape from the global trend in the world population. The Survey of Elderly in Cambodia (SEC) in 2004 shows the population age 60 and over represents 6% of the Cambodian total population (13.5 million) amongst about 800 000 older people, the sex distribution is 40.2% for men and 59.8% for women and the age distribution is 34.1% for 60-64, 27.8% for 65-69, 18.7% for 70-74 and 19.4%, 75 and over. Because of the decreasing of fertility: it has dropped to 3.4 and is foreseen to fall to near replacement levels by 2050 and the increasing of the life expectancy for men from 58.6 to 69.3 years and for women from 64.8 to 75.0 years by 2050. The older people accounted for less than 5% of the increase in total population during 1950-2000, they will account for 10% and 26% respectively of the increase during 2000-2025 and 2025-2050. But in spite of this trend Cambodia still ranks lowest in terms of population ageing in South East Asia through the next five decades.
Social Characteristics
Today’s population of older age Cambodians lived through an exceptionally traumatic period of history during their adult years: independence from France in 1953 was followed by civil war and in April 1975 the revolutionary forces of the Khmer Rouge under the dictatorship of Pol Pot established political violence, severe food shortages and lack of medical care resulted in an estimated nearly 2 million deaths. Many who died were the sons, daughters or spouses of today’s older-aged population.
This period was followed by the worst AIDS epidemic in Asia, many who were infected and died were adult sons and daughters of the current elderly population. Consequence of these accumulated events, 65% of the Cambodian old people are illiterate and have never attended school. The percent distribution according to literacy are: 59.2% not able to read, 22.1% to read with difficulty and 18.7% to read comfortably.
Economic Characteristics
Cambodian older people live in one of the poorest countries in Asia. only a small minority of Cambodian elders indicate they did not work during their lifetime, these people are mostly women. Over a third of the population age 60 and over reported that they were still economically active. Almost half of men compared to 28% of women are still working.
Only 20% of those age 70 and older are still active. Those who are still economically active have similar occupations during their lifetime: most were engaged in farming or fishing or in their own account like sales or Services workers. 40% of Cambodian elders reported that they received some income from their own or their spouse’s work. About 5% received income from rental property. Investment or savings are even rarer sources of income with only 2%. 5% of elders reported receiving pensions especially Civil Servants and Veterans. Financial support from government welfare or organized charity is extremely rare and reported by less than 1% of elders. The remaining, which means the majority of elders report their children or children-in-law as their main source of support. The majority lived in households with at least one of their children and share support that come to the household, and receive some money and other material support from their children.
Health Characteristics
The Survey of Elderly in Cambodia (SEC) focused on the ability of the older people to negotiate successfully within an environment, and as such relates well to physical functioning measures, like the ability to do a physical movement or conduct a usual daily task. One set of functioning measures, called Activities of Daily living (ADL) for example their ability to bathe or dress was underlined by the survey.
Older Cambodians are more likely to state that they believe their health is poor than to state it is good. Most report joint pain, weakness and back pain. A large majority report having difficulties performing physical function such as lifting things and walking.
In Cambodia the population ageing phenomenon does not escape from the global trend in the world population. The Survey of Elderly in Cambodia (SEC) in 2004 shows the population age 60 and over represents 6% of the Cambodian total population (13.5 million) amongst about 800 000 older people, the sex distribution is 40.2% for men and 59.8% for women and the age distribution is 34.1% for 60-64, 27.8% for 65-69, 18.7% for 70-74 and 19.4%, 75 and over. Because of the decreasing of fertility: it has dropped to 3.4 and is foreseen to fall to near replacement levels by 2050 and the increasing of the life expectancy for men from 58.6 to 69.3 years and for women from 64.8 to 75.0 years by 2050. The older people accounted for less than 5% of the increase in total population during 1950-2000, they will account for 10% and 26% respectively of the increase during 2000-2025 and 2025-2050. But in spite of this trend Cambodia still ranks lowest in terms of population ageing in South East Asia through the next five decades.
Social Characteristics
Today’s population of older age Cambodians lived through an exceptionally traumatic period of history during their adult years: independence from France in 1953 was followed by civil war and in April 1975 the revolutionary forces of the Khmer Rouge under the dictatorship of Pol Pot established political violence, severe food shortages and lack of medical care resulted in an estimated nearly 2 million deaths. Many who died were the sons, daughters or spouses of today’s older-aged population.
This period was followed by the worst AIDS epidemic in Asia, many who were infected and died were adult sons and daughters of the current elderly population. Consequence of these accumulated events, 65% of the Cambodian old people are illiterate and have never attended school. The percent distribution according to literacy are: 59.2% not able to read, 22.1% to read with difficulty and 18.7% to read comfortably.
Economic Characteristics
Cambodian older people live in one of the poorest countries in Asia. only a small minority of Cambodian elders indicate they did not work during their lifetime, these people are mostly women. Over a third of the population age 60 and over reported that they were still economically active. Almost half of men compared to 28% of women are still working.
Only 20% of those age 70 and older are still active. Those who are still economically active have similar occupations during their lifetime: most were engaged in farming or fishing or in their own account like sales or Services workers. 40% of Cambodian elders reported that they received some income from their own or their spouse’s work. About 5% received income from rental property. Investment or savings are even rarer sources of income with only 2%. 5% of elders reported receiving pensions especially Civil Servants and Veterans. Financial support from government welfare or organized charity is extremely rare and reported by less than 1% of elders. The remaining, which means the majority of elders report their children or children-in-law as their main source of support. The majority lived in households with at least one of their children and share support that come to the household, and receive some money and other material support from their children.
Health Characteristics
The Survey of Elderly in Cambodia (SEC) focused on the ability of the older people to negotiate successfully within an environment, and as such relates well to physical functioning measures, like the ability to do a physical movement or conduct a usual daily task. One set of functioning measures, called Activities of Daily living (ADL) for example their ability to bathe or dress was underlined by the survey.
Older Cambodians are more likely to state that they believe their health is poor than to state it is good. Most report joint pain, weakness and back pain. A large majority report having difficulties performing physical function such as lifting things and walking.
