Ageing in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

There is an increase in life-expectancy across countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Thus, ageing population is imminent in this African sub-region in the years ahead. Ageing population attracts both demographic and socioeconomic consequences, particularly in low income countries where there is little or no plan put in place by government to cater for elderly persons. In the coming decades, many countries in SSA are likely to face challenges of health care, pensions and social protections for a growing number of ageing population. Unfortunately, there is gap in knowledge on demographic and historical information about ageing in SSA. Thus, this study provides an exhaustive material and record of methodological, theoretical, practical and substantive issues on ageing in SSA. A literature search was conducted from November 2019 to May 2020 to identify published peer-reviewed studies reporting ageing in SSA countries using academic search engines. There was an increase in the number of elderly persons in SSA and projections show that all the regional blocks in SSA will consistently experience increase in the elderly population in the next 80 years. Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania are the top five countries with high burden of elderly in SSA. Ageing policy is still very scanty in the region. There is the need for governments in SSA countries to prepare mechanisms that will satisfactorily accommodate and care for ageing population.