A new study ranks Afghanistan as the worst place in the world to be old.
The Global AgeWatch Index, compiled by the UN Population Fund and the advocacy group HelpAge International, was published on October 1 -- the UN's International Day of Older Persons. It examines the quality of life of the elderly in 91 countries.
The top of the list is dominated by countries from Western Europe and North America, along with Japan, Australia, and Chile. In the former Soviet Union, Estonia has the highest ranking (29th), followed by Georgia (37th), Armenia (51st), and Tajikistan (52nd). Russia is 78th and Pakistan 89th.
The report warns that most countries are not prepared to support their swelling numbers of elderly people. It says that by 2050, seniors older than 60 will outnumber children younger than 15.
The Global AgeWatch Index, compiled by the UN Population Fund and the advocacy group HelpAge International, was published on October 1 -- the UN's International Day of Older Persons. It examines the quality of life of the elderly in 91 countries.
The top of the list is dominated by countries from Western Europe and North America, along with Japan, Australia, and Chile. In the former Soviet Union, Estonia has the highest ranking (29th), followed by Georgia (37th), Armenia (51st), and Tajikistan (52nd). Russia is 78th and Pakistan 89th.
The report warns that most countries are not prepared to support their swelling numbers of elderly people. It says that by 2050, seniors older than 60 will outnumber children younger than 15.