The Purpose Of The Global Agewatch Index

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The Global AgeWatch Index has been developed and constructed by HelpAge International from international data sets drawn from varieties of international institutions, such as the World Bank, World Health Organization and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. “The world population is ageing” (Global AgeWatch Index 2015 Insight report, p. 5). Data of ageing is needed for the governments to develop policies, and the policy makers are trying to establish feasible solutions to solve the increasingly serious ageing problem in many countries. However the current situation is that there are no existing index indicating how governments did in older people’s wellbeing and ageing problem. The purpose of the Global AgeWatch is to improve …show more content…

26). The main methodology of the index is the collection of international data sources in 13 indicators. There are four domains to measure older people’s Income security, which are Pension income coverage, Poverty rate in old age, Relative welfare of older people and GDP per capita. Financial status is a critical factor of assessing the quality of life and pension system plays an essential role in the income of older people. Therefore, the Pension coverage and Poverty rate in old age are used in this index to indicate the economic situation of older people in one country. Meanwhile, this index measures Relative welfare and GNI per capita to compare the income situation and welfare of older people with the per capita level, which also illustrate the degree of attention to the older people group and the social status of the older population. Life expectancy at 60, healthy life expectancy at 60, and psychological wellbeing are used to measure Health status. “Good physical and mental health is critical to social and economic engagement of older people” (Global AgeWatch Index 2015 Insight report, p. 7). The life expectancy at 60 and healthy life expectancy of older population can indicate, in some extent, their own health status and local medical standards. However, the life expectancy can be subjective and due to the different educational background, the data can vary to different people. Also, these three indicators do not involve a way to measure older people’s mental health clearly. Capability is measured by Employment of older people and Educational status of older people. The figure of Employment of older people measured the percentage of the population aged 55-64 that are employed. This is related to the older people’s social responsibility, supporting social relationships and

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