Manila: Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales emphasized the urgent need to evaluate and update policies on aging as the Philippines' senior population is projected to reach nearly 11 million by 2025. This statement came during the National Consultation for the Promotion of Policies on Aging in the Philippines, hosted at the Marco Polo in Ortigas in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and other stakeholders.
According to Philippines News Agency, Bersales highlighted that the consultation occurs at a significant juncture in the country's demographic changes. While the nation is not yet categorized as an aging society, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) anticipates the proportion of older individuals to double between 2035 and 2040. "We do not want to wait for that time when we have more and more older persons, and we cannot provide them proper services and opportunities, so this is a good conversation to do now. This discussion is now," Bersales stated.
She stressed the importance of timing as the country is midway through several key government frameworks, including the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and the plans of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC). "It is now 2026, so this is the right time to come together to talk about our needs, but to talk about the policy gaps, the implementation gaps, so that we can do some adjustments leading up to 2028," she mentioned.
In his presentation, PSA Chief Claire Dennis Mapa noted that as of 2025, individuals aged 60 and above make up 9.6 percent of the Philippines' 113.7 million population, nearing the 10 percent threshold that international agencies like the World Bank use to define an aging society. "Last year, our population of 60 and above was close to 11 million, about 10.98 million, which represents about 9.6 percent of our total population," Mapa said.
The demographic shift in the Philippines is driven by declining fertility rates and increasing life expectancy, a transition seen in many Asian countries, although the Philippines lags behind more aged economies like Singapore and Hong Kong.
Mapa further explained that Filipinos reaching age 60 can expect longer lives, with women living an average of 21 more years and men about 17 to 18 more years. Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which temporarily reduced life expectancy, long-term trends indicate increasing longevity. This, in turn, results in greater demands for healthcare, social protection, and income security as less than half of seniors are covered by social protection programs.
Economic activity among seniors remains notable, with around 3.4 million elderly still participating in the labor force in 2025. Mapa clarified that continued work among seniors is not necessarily indicative of poverty, as many older individuals feel productive and wish to contribute.
Grace Cruz, principal investigator and trustee of the Demographic Research and Development Foundation, presented findings from the Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Health in the Philippines (ELSA), revealing health disparities among older Filipinos. Over two-thirds of seniors have at least one diagnosed illness, yet many remain undiagnosed or unmanaged due to financial constraints and limited access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas. The study also underscored urban-rural disparities and noted that caregiving often falls on family members, especially women.
The ongoing consultation aims to address these challenges through government programs and initiatives, with discussions set to continue on the second day of the event.
