What is the United Nations definition of an older person?

With the global population of those aged 60 and over projected to double by 2050, understanding how major international bodies like the United Nations define an older person is more crucial than ever.

The United Nations definition of an older person, while often cited as 60 years or older, is far from a simple, one-size-fits-all rule, and its application depends on various contextual factors, including geographical region and socioeconomic status.

Quick Summary

The United Nations most commonly defines an older person as someone aged 60 years or older, particularly in the context of global demographics and aging issues.

However, this definition is not universal across all UN-affiliated agencies or for every purpose, as some contexts use different age thresholds, acknowledging that the experience of aging varies dramatically across different cultures and socioeconomic conditions.

Key Points

• General Definition: The UN typically defines an older person as someone aged 60 or over for general statistical and demographic purposes.

• Context is Key: This 60+ definition is not a rigid rule and is adapted based on specific contexts, including geographic location, culture, and socioeconomic conditions.

• Variations Exist: Some high-income countries use a 65+ threshold, often linked to pension ages, while some lower-income regions may consider individuals in their 50s as older adults.

• Humanitarian Needs: In emergency and crisis situations, UN agencies like the UNHCR use a needs-based assessment rather than just chronological age, as hardship can accelerate aging.

• Beyond Chronology: The UN recognizes that socio-cultural factors, health status, and family roles also significantly influence what it means to be an older person.

• Focus on Healthy Aging: The UN promotes healthy aging, focusing on a person's functional ability and well-being rather than just longevity.

The United Nations' Working Definition of an Older Person

For statistical purposes and general discourse on global population trends, the United Nations generally operates with a working definition that an older person is someone aged 60 years or over. This threshold helps in analyzing demographic shifts and projecting future population aging worldwide. While useful for consistent data sets, the UN recognizes this chronological marker doesn't capture the full complexity of aging across different global contexts. Therefore, flexibility is applied based on specific situations.

The Complexity of Context: Why One Age Doesn't Fit All

The experience of aging is shaped by more than just chronological age, a fact acknowledged by the UN and agencies like the UNHCR. Cultural, social, and economic factors play a significant role.

Regional Differences in Defining Old Age

In many high-income nations, older persons are often defined as those aged 65 or older, aligning with retirement ages. Conversely, in some African countries, individuals in their 50s may be considered older adults due to lower life expectancy and challenging socioeconomic conditions.

Socio-Cultural Factors

Within families and communities, definitions of aging often include socio-cultural markers like becoming a grandparent, physical appearance, or age-related health conditions, which can be more influential than chronological age in determining social roles.

The Case of Humanitarian Crises

In emergency settings, such as those involving refugees or internally displaced persons, the UNHCR recognizes that hardships can accelerate the aging process. Many challenges typically associated with old age can appear in individuals under 60. This necessitates a more flexible, needs-based definition for humanitarian aid efforts, rather than a strict age cutoff.

United Nations Principles for Older Persons

In 1991, the UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons, which focus on ensuring the dignity, independence, and full participation of older people in society, rather than providing a strict age definition. These principles are based on five key values:

• Independence: Access to basics like food, shelter, healthcare, and opportunities for income-generating activities.
• Participation: Staying involved in society, influencing policies, and sharing knowledge.
• Care: Access to social and legal services and enjoyment of human rights.
• Self-fulfilment: Opportunities for personal development.
• Dignity: Living in security, free from exploitation and abuse.

These principles highlight the UN's commitment to protecting the human rights of older persons regardless of their exact age category.

Healthy Aging and the UN

Addressing the global increase in older populations, the UN and WHO promote healthy aging, defined by the WHO as maintaining functional ability for well-being in older age. This shifts the focus from simply living longer to living better.

The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) aims to improve the lives of older people and their communities. It builds on the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002), which focused on older persons and development, health and well-being, and creating supportive environments.

Defining the Older Person: A Global Comparison

Aspect	UN's General Definition	Western High-Income Countries	Humanitarian Contexts (e.g., UNHCR)	Some Lower-Income Countries	Healthy Aging Framework
Primary Metric	Chronological Age (60+)	Chronological Age (65+)	Needs-based and contextual	Chronological Age (often 50s-60s)	Functional Ability
Key Consideration	Demographics, population trends	Pension and retirement age	Exposure to conflict, health, hardship	Lower life expectancy, socioeconomic factors	Well-being, physical and mental health
Flexibility	Moderate (agency-dependent)	Low (linked to policy)	High (individual assessment)	High (varies by country)	High (focus on individual experience)
Application	Global statistical analysis, broad policy	National social security, healthcare policy	Needs assessment for refugees/IDPs	Country-specific policy, cultural norms	Public health policy, intervention strategies

Conclusion

Ultimately, what is the United Nations definition of an older person? It is most commonly aged 60 and over for statistical purposes. However, the UN acknowledges that aging is influenced by a complex mix of chronological age, cultural context, and socioeconomic factors, leading to a flexible and contextual approach for effective policy and care for the growing older population.

For more information on the UN's work concerning the well-being of older persons, you can visit the United Nations official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the UN have a single, universal definition for an older person?

No, while the UN commonly uses 60 years or older for general demographic analysis, it does not apply a single, universal definition. The term is understood with flexibility to account for variations across different contexts and agencies, such as in humanitarian relief efforts.

Why does the definition of an older person vary by country?

The definition varies by country due to differing national practices, life expectancies, and social policies. Many high-income countries use 65+ to align with retirement ages, while other countries may define 'older' differently based on cultural norms or overall health status.

What is the difference between the UN's definition and the WHO's definition?

The UN and the World Health Organization (WHO) are closely aligned. The WHO also uses the 60+ age threshold for older adults but places significant emphasis on the concept of 'Healthy Aging,' which focuses on a person's functional ability and well-being rather than just chronological age.

How does a needs-based definition apply to older persons in crises?

In crisis situations, UN agencies like the UNHCR recognize that severe hardships can lead to premature aging. They use a needs-based approach that assesses a person's vulnerability based on health, physical ability, and other factors, rather than strictly relying on chronological age, to ensure proper support.

What are the UN Principles for Older Persons?

The UN Principles for Older Persons, adopted in 1991, are a set of broad guidelines promoting the independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment, and dignity of older individuals. They serve as a framework for policies and actions rather than providing a rigid definition based on age.

Why is it important to have a flexible definition of 'older person'?

A flexible definition is important because it acknowledges that aging is not a uniform process. It allows for a more nuanced and compassionate approach to policy-making, healthcare, and humanitarian aid, ensuring that the diverse needs of older populations are met effectively across the globe.

What is the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing?

The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) is a global initiative to foster healthy aging. It aims to improve the lives of older people by addressing systemic issues related to aging and focusing on maintaining functional ability and well-being throughout older age.