Già hóa dân số tại Việt Nam và những nỗi lo trong tương lai | VTV24

Summary

Vietnam is facing a rapidly aging population, with the proportion of elderly expected to increase significantly over the next few decades. By 2040, people aged 60 and above will make up 22% of the population. This demographic shift presents major challenges, particularly in caregiving, as many families are small and lack plans for elderly care. The government and society must take proactive steps to prepare for the aging society, including encouraging young people to plan for their financial futures and ensuring adequate healthcare and social support systems. Lessons from countries like Japan and Singapore emphasize the importance of strategic planning and innovation to address these challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vietnam is rapidly aging, with a forecast that by 2036, the country will enter an aging society, with a significant increase in the elderly population.
• 😀 The aging population in Vietnam presents a challenge for caregivers, as many families only have one child, who will be responsible for looking after multiple elderly relatives in the coming years.
• 😀 Over 60% of elderly people in Vietnam have weak or very weak health, requiring long-term care for chronic conditions.
• 😀 Many young people in Vietnam, including those with elderly parents, have not yet planned for their own old age or for the care of their parents.
• 😀 By 2040, the elderly population (60 years and above) in Vietnam will account for 22% of the total population, which highlights the need for early preparation, especially in terms of financial planning.
• 😀 Aging is not just an issue in Vietnam; China faces a similar challenge, with a rapidly aging population, exacerbated by the country's one-child policy.
• 😀 The elderly in rural China often live isolated lives, relying on each other for support, as many young people move to cities for work.
• 😀 In urban centers like Beijing and Shanghai, there are significant concerns regarding elderly care, as the high cost of housing and healthcare limits the ability of the younger generation to support their parents.
• 😀 Countries like Japan and Singapore are already implementing proactive measures to address aging, such as lifelong learning programs and comprehensive healthcare insurance schemes.
• 😀 Japan is pioneering long-term care insurance, which covers various models of elderly care, and it is investing in technologies such as robots to assist with elderly care, creating new industries to support aging populations.
• 😀 Vietnam, with its smaller economy, needs to start planning now to reduce the pressure on its social security system and healthcare services as it faces the challenges of an aging society.

Q & A

What is the current situation of Vietnam's aging population?

Vietnam is experiencing one of the fastest aging populations in the world. Ten years ago, for every 11 citizens, there was only one elderly person. However, this ratio is expected to change to one elderly person for every six people by 2030, marking the beginning of the aging population trend.

How is Vietnam's aging population expected to affect future caregiving?

As Vietnam enters an aging demographic phase, the burden of caregiving will increase, particularly since many families have fewer children. This will result in a greater responsibility for fewer individuals to care for multiple elderly family members.

What challenges does Vietnam face with regard to elderly care in the future?

A significant challenge is that many families do not have plans for elderly care. As people are focused on their careers and raising children, they often neglect planning for their own aging, leaving future generations to bear the caregiving burden.

What is the government and societal recommendation for the younger generation in Vietnam?

The government and international organizations recommend that the younger generation start planning for the future, especially financially, to ensure they can provide care for their aging relatives and secure their own future.

What are the key reasons for the aging population in Vietnam?

The aging population is largely a result of policies such as the one-child policy, which reduced birth rates. This has led to fewer young people available to care for the increasing elderly population.

How does aging affect different countries, such as Japan and China?

Japan and China are also experiencing rapid aging populations. In Japan, over 25% of the population is over 65, and this is expected to rise to 40% by 2060. Both countries are dealing with similar challenges, including insufficient resources for elderly care and retirement systems.

What strategies have countries like Japan and Singapore implemented to cope with aging populations?

Japan has introduced comprehensive healthcare insurance for elderly care and is investing in technologies like robots to assist the elderly. Singapore has provided lifelong learning initiatives and healthcare insurance for elderly people.

How does the aging population in China impact caregiving?

In rural China, elderly people often live alone or with minimal support, as the younger generation moves to cities for work. This creates significant caregiving challenges, particularly for those without financial resources to afford care.

What are the potential impacts of Vietnam's population reaching 100 million?

Once Vietnam's population reaches 100 million, it will see a sharp increase in elderly citizens. This demographic shift could place a substantial strain on social services, healthcare, and the economy, highlighting the need for early preparation.

What steps should be taken by the government of Vietnam to prepare for an aging society?

The government needs to establish policies that encourage youth to plan for the future, including offering employment opportunities, access to education, and infrastructure that supports workforce participation, while also focusing on healthcare services for the elderly.