It is time for older people to stand up
It is time for older voices to be heard
It is time to shape policies and environments for increasing longevity and a rapidly ageing population.
86,000 PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD TURN 6O EVERYDAY
THE GLOBAL SILVER ECONOMY WILL REACH $15 TRILLION BY 2020
Demographic transformation
756,000 mature and older New Zealanders are now 65 and over. However, community, business and policy environments are not keeping pace with the demographic transformation.
Rapid ageing is occurring in New Zealand regions.
By 2038 the number of mature New Zealanders will double to over one million, 1,340,000 or 21% of our total population.
Ministry of Social Development and SUPA–NZ research shows that mature and older people significantly contribute to national and regional social and economic sustainability. One third of New Zealand workers are now over 55years. The silver economy contributed $43.4 billion to New Zealand’s wealth in 2017. It is expected to grow rapidly over coming decades.
It is clear that increasing longevity, and active ageing with purpose and meaning will grow product and service innovation. It is also clear that the silver economy will create jobs for younger generations.
IT IS TIME TO RECOGNISE THE VAST SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF MATURE AND OLDER PEOPLE.
IT IS TIME FOR MATURE PEOPLE TO ENGAGE IN POLICY PROCESSES THAT SHAPE THEIR FUTURE, AND THE FUTURE OF THE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES THEY CARE FOR.
SUPA-NZ
SUPA-NZ, a research and thought-leadership agency, commends the lead efforts of the Labour Coalition Government to begin conversations on shaping new policy frameworks that will encourage communities and Local Governments to develop age-friendly communities.
“We urgently need a shift in culture, a shift that recognizes diversity and inclusion in a context of innovation to enable successful ageing.”
Responding to this first time in history mega-trend is vital to New Zealand’s place in a rapidly changing world.
Contact
Carole Gordon, Strategic Consultant, SUPA-NZ
Phone: 07 576 6727
Email: cgordon @ xtra.co.nz
