Old-timers to hit 29 million by 2020

YOGYAKARTA: Indonesia's elderly population is expected to reach about 29 million by 2020, or about 11.3 percent of the population.

"This is primarily the result of successful development programs such as health, family planning and social welfare, all of which have caused life expectancy to rise," Siti Partini Suardiman said in her inauguration address as professor of psychology at Yogyakarta State University.

She noted that in the 1970s, life expectancy for Indonesians stood at about 45.7 years. By 1990 it was 59.8 and by 2020 it is expected to be about 71.1.

She warned that changes in demographics would have consequences on daily social life, noting commercial supply and demand as one aspect which could be affected. (06)