SA Recognizes Need to Plan for Ageing

January 18 - A new survey has shown that South Africa is facing the challenge of an ageing population and has recognized the difficulties involved for the future.

The latest KPMG Survey interviewed eight hundred public sector employees from around the world, including Australia, Germany, Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands and South Africa.

The survey found that despite the high standards of living enjoyed in many of these countries, many public sectors were not rising to the challenge and taking the necessary steps to cope with an increasingly older population.

However, the survey found that the majority of those questioned in South Africa believed that this country was taking adequate steps.

"While many public sector organizations in key economies are not making adequate preparations to deal with the impact of ageing populations, South Africa is playing a leading role in bucking the trend," said KMPG Survey.

55% of respondents in South Africa said that their organizations were planning for the needs of increasing numbers of older people.

This was in comparison to 21% of respondents in the United Kingdom, 26% in Germany, 28% in the United States and 38% in Canada.

62% of those questioned in Singapore believed that their organizations were adequately prepared.

Trends examined over the years show that life expectancy in many developed countries has increased due to better healthcare and diet, while fertility rates have declined.

"In South Africa, the ration is expected to move from 10 working people to one elderly person today, to five to one in 2050," predicted the survey.