Understanding Ageing in South Africa

South Africa has one of the most rapidly growing ageing populations in Africa. While the population of South Africa is youthful, people aged 60 years and over increasingly constitute a proportionally larger share of the total population. The ageing of the population in South Africa is occurring in the context of widespread poverty and a host of other problems. As people grow older, they are more likely to experience physical decline and a range of health ailments, which is likely to increase demands on health systems. An ageing population is likely to have far-reaching implications for the country, not least as a major driver of population growth but also placing demands on resources and services. This chapter profiles the situation of older people in South Africa. Older people face a number of challenges, but they make a valuable contribution to the country.