Colombo, Sri Lanka, 05 October 2013: Sri Lanka is among the countries of Asia where
senior citizens have the best quality of life it emerges from the Global Agewatch
Index, the first study to establish a ranking of nations - on a global scale - based
on social and economic welfare of "grandparents". According to Thilak de Soysa, director
of HelpAge Sri Lanka, the country's success lies in the fact that 98% of the elderly
live with their family.
The best country in the world for older people is Sweden:
compared to the Scandinavian country, Sri Lanka is "only" in 36th position.
But in Asia it is in fourth place , preceded by Japan (10), Israel (21) and China
(35).
The index is calculated on 13 indicators, grouped into four categories:
income security, health, employment and education, a favorable environment. Each factor
has the same weight and this explains why countries with a GDP lower than others may
occupy the upper floors in the standings.
Mark Gorman, Director of HelpAge
International, explains Sri Lanka's good result of: "The elderly population of the
country can benefit from a good education and basic health care. [Today] all [ countries
] have fewer resources than in the past but when they decide to invest they should
also take into account the needs of the elderly."Source: AsiaNews