International Day for Older Persons

Tags: Important Days

International Day of the Elderly is celebrated every year on 1 October across the world.

Important facts

• The day is celebrated to spread awareness about the importance of senior citizens in the society and to appreciate their contribution.

• Senior citizens carry a lot of responsibility on their shoulders as the leaders of the society.

• They also carry forward the traditions, culture of the society and pass on their knowledge and experience to the younger generation.

• Older people are also highly vulnerable, with many living in poverty, health problems and discrimination.

• This day is also celebrated to focus on the responsibilities of the people to make the life of the elderly people happy.

• The theme of International Day of Older Persons, 2022 - "Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World".

Background of the day

• On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe 1 October every year as the International Day of Older Persons.

• International Day of Older Persons was celebrated for the first time on 1 October 1991.

Other facts

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the elderly population currently stands at 600 million.

• It is poised to double by 2025 and touch 2 billion by 2050.

• According to the United Nations Population Fund's 2019 report, India had a population of 1.36 billion elderly people and 6% of the population was 65 years of age or above.