Preparing for longer living in the Philippines

People worldwide are living longer, driven by advances in social and economic development as well as improvements in healthcare. At the same time, trends such as urbanization and higher educational attainment have contributed to smaller families and declining birth rates, resulting in fewer children in many countries. Together, these forces are reshaping global demographics.

As a result, the population aged 60 and older is expanding rapidly, in many cases surpassing the number of younger people which is a shift known as population aging.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2030, one in six people globally will be aged 60 years or older. Meanwhile, the number of persons aged 80 years or above is projected to triple between 2020 and 2050, reaching 426 million. While population aging began in high-income countries such as Japan, where nearly 30% of the population is already over 60, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are now experiencing significant demographic shifts. By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population over 60 will live in LMICs.

Longer lifespans create opportunities for individuals to remain active, productive, and engaged. However, the WHO warns that these gains also present challenges unless societies adapt their policies, systems, and institutions across sectors.

The Philippines is no exception.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there were 10.98 million Filipinos aged 60 years and older in 2025, comprising 9.6% of the country’s 113.7 million population. This places the country just below the 10% threshold commonly used by global institutions such as the World Bank to classify an aging society. At current trends, the PSA projects that the Philippines will cross this threshold within the next few years, with senior citizens accounting for approximately 11% of the population by 2030.

This demographic transition carries profound implications for economic resilience, social protection, and healthcare delivery.

Data presented during a 2019 Senate committee hearing on the National Commission of Senior Citizens Act revealed that 55% of Filipino senior citizens have no pension. Among those with financial support, 23% receive pensions from the private sector, 6% receive government pensions, and 16% rely on a monthly social pension of only P500.

Healthcare capacity presents another major concern.

A Department of Health (DoH) report highlighted a significant deficit in geriatric care, citing the lack of specialized geriatric wards and a severely low ratio of geriatricians relative to the elderly population. Geriatricians are physicians with specialized training in caring for older adults, particularly those with multiple chronic conditions and complex health needs.

Recognizing these challenges, members of the Senate have expressed concern that many older Filipinos, particularly those with limited financial resources, may struggle to access long-term and specialized care.

In response, Senate Bill No. 1302 was filed in September 2025. The bill mandates the establishment of a tertiary specialty hospital under the DoH dedicated to the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of older persons.

If enacted, the existing National Center for Geriatric Health (NCGH) in Manila would be upgraded and renamed the Philippine Geriatric Center (PGC). As the National Specialty Referral Center for geriatric care, the PGC would provide specialized services, promote research, facilitate education and training for healthcare providers, and coordinate a national approach to elderly healthcare.

The bill further mandates the creation of a National Geriatric Health Service Delivery Plan and the establishment of regional geriatric centers to ensure nationwide access. It also proposes a Geriatric Human Resource Development Program aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity through scholarships, incentives, and continuing professional development.

While these structural reforms are essential, addressing the long-term impact of population aging requires more than expanding treatment capacity.

It demands a decisive shift toward prevention.

Rapid population aging intensifies pressure on health systems, largely due to the rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Although NCDs affect individuals across all age groups, their incidence increases sharply with advancing age, making them leading contributors to mortality, hospitalization, frailty, and healthcare expenditure.

Prevention therefore becomes central to sustaining both individual well-being and health system resilience.

A comprehensive response must span the full continuum of care, from health promotion and disease prevention to early detection, diagnosis, and timely treatment. The WHO emphasizes that lifelong prevention strategies can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer, while also delaying functional decline.

Equally critical is the provision of integrated, person-centered primary healthcare tailored to the needs of older adults. Such an approach enables earlier detection, better management of chronic conditions, and improved quality of life.

Ensuring access to long-term care services including rehabilitation, palliative care, and social support further helps older persons maintain independence and dignity.

At the same time, investments in preventive measures such as adult immunization play a vital role in promoting healthy aging. Vaccination across the lifespan protects older adults from preventable diseases, reduces complications, and eases pressure on healthcare systems.

For aging populations often burdened by multiple chronic conditions and functional decline, protection-oriented strategies are not optional as they are indispensable.

Healthy aging is not achieved by treating disease alone, but by preventing avoidable illness, preserving function, and enabling older Filipinos to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.