Upcoming picture of ageing population: Pakistan

Ageing of population may have its implications at individual, family, community and economic level. This paper explains how ageing population will behave in the future based on projection assumptions. Future prospects and issues are identified and categorized alongwith relevance of ageing population trend examined in a survey. The findings demonstrate that ageing population of Pakistan will increase in the forthcoming years. Among several reasons for increase in ageing population, the most important is decline in death rate. The overall sex ratio indicates a better coverage of female in coming decades. For the next 50 years, the life expectancy may rise to 70.7 years. The old age dependency ratio may also increase in the times to come. Married elderly females may be less in number as compared to married elderly males. The high prevalence of other-than-married elderly females deserves special consideration in policy-making and planning. There exists much variation in the literacy rate of both elderly male and female. As the study reflects future pattern of ageing population, its findings may be of interest for researchers and practitioners.