Published: 11:25 PM, 30 September 2026
Living Longer, Living Better: Bangladesh's Next Great Challenge
Md. Refatul Hossain
On October 1, the world will observe the International Day of Older Persons 2026 under the theme, "The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives." For Bangladesh, this theme arrives at a defining moment. We often celebrate our youthful workforce as the country's greatest demographic dividend, yet another profound demographic transformation is unfolding alongside it: Bangladesh is quietly becoming an ageing society. Longer lives are one of humanity's greatest achievements. They reflect better healthcare, improved nutrition and declining mortality. But longevity also raises an important question: Are our institutions, transport systems, healthcare services and workplaces prepared for millions of citizens who will live well beyond sixty? The answer remains incomplete.
An ageing Bangladesh
Bangladesh officially considers all citizens aged 60 years and above as senior citizens under the National Policy on Older Persons adopted in 2013, which aligns with the Madrid International According to the World Health Organization, Bangladesh now has approximately 16.5 million people aged 60 and above, representing around 10 percent of the national population. By 2050, this share is projected to nearly double to 19 percent, meaning almost one in every five Bangladeshis will be an older person. The transition is happening remarkably fast. Bangladesh moved from around 5 percent elderly population in 1990 to nearly 10 percent by 2024, and projections indicate that the country may become an "aged society" much earlier than many expected. This transformation is occurring while Bangladesh still enjoys a relatively large working-age population. Rather than seeing youth and ageing as competing priorities, policymakers should recognise them as two sides of the same demographic reality.
Living longer does not automatically mean living healthier. WHO estimates show that after turning 60, Bangladeshi women can expect to live about 20.4 more years, while men can expect around 19 years. However, several of those additional years are often spent coping with chronic illnesses, reduced mobility and disability. At the same time, traditional family structures are changing. Urbanisation, overseas migration and nuclear families are weakening the informal support systems that once cared for elderly parents. Many grandparents now shoulder childcare responsibilities while their adult children work elsewhere. Longevity, therefore, is no longer merely a family issue—it has become a national policy issue.
What Bangladesh has already achieved
The country has not remained inactive. The Old Age Allowance programme, introduced in 1997, now supports around 6.1 million beneficiaries, each receiving Tk 650 per month during FY2025-26, with a budget allocation of approximately Tk 4,791 crore. Payments are increasingly delivered through mobile financial services and agent banking, improving transparency. The government has also launched the Universal Pension Scheme, aiming to build long-term retirement security for citizens aged 18 and above. The broader vision seeks to create a sustainable pension architecture before population ageing becomes overwhelming. Additionally, the National Healthy Ageing Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030) has begun laying the groundwork for more age-friendly healthcare services. These are important foundations, but they are only the beginning.
Time to build an age-friendly Bangladesh
The next phase requires rethinking everyday systems rather than creating isolated welfare programmes. First, make public transport truly elderly-friendly: Reserved seating exists on paper in many buses, but enforcement remains inconsistent. Every metro rail coach, intercity train, launch and public bus should guarantee clearly marked priority seating, easy boarding facilities, handrails, ramps and audio-visual announcements designed for older passengers. Mobility is dignity. Second, strengthen geriatric healthcare: Every district hospital should gradually establish dedicated geriatric care units. Community clinics can expand screening for hypertension, diabetes, dementia, osteoporosis and vision problems among older citizens. Preventive care costs far less than crisis care. Third, design age-friendly cities: Footpaths without obstacles, safer pedestrian crossings, benches in public spaces, accessible public toilets and well-lit walkways are not luxuries. They are essential infrastructure for an ageing society. Fourth, modernise income security: The Old Age Allowance should gradually become more adequate and more inclusive, particularly for vulnerable elderly people living alone, widows and those with disabilities. The proposed multi-tier pension system—combining tax-financed support, contributory pensions and voluntary savings—deserves accelerated implementation.
The untapped resource called experience
Perhaps the greatest missed opportunity lies elsewhere. Bangladesh often measures productivity only through youth employment. Yet millions of retired teachers, agricultural experts, engineers, doctors, administrators, scientists and skilled workers possess decades of institutional knowledge. Instead of viewing retirement as the end of public contribution—and rather than relying solely on ad hoc contractual appointments—Bangladesh could establish a National Senior Expertise Pool, a structured national network of retired professionals from the civil service, agriculture, health, education, engineering and other technical sectors. By harnessing their institutional memory, field experience and policy expertise, this pool could provide advisory support to government programmes. They would not replace serving officials or occupy promotional positions. Instead, they could serve as mentors, advisers and technical resource persons, either voluntarily or with a modest honorarium. Experienced retirees could mentor young entrepreneurs, advise local government projects, teach technical skills, support agricultural extension, assist disaster preparedness and volunteer in schools and community organisations. Such programmes would reduce loneliness while transferring invaluable knowledge across generations.
Countries facing ageing populations increasingly promote "active ageing" rather than passive retirement. Bangladesh can adopt the philosophy without enormous financial costs. The country already acknowledges that retirement need not mean the end of public service. In recent years, several retired secretaries and senior officials have been reappointed on contractual terms to lead important ministries, reflecting the government's recognition that institutional memory and seasoned judgment can remain valuable beyond formal retirement. Such a model would also promote intergenerational collaboration. Bangladesh's youthful workforce remains its greatest demographic strength, yet younger officers need opportunities to learn from those who have navigated complex administrative challenges before them. The objective should not be to prolong careers indefinitely, but to preserve valuable knowledge that would otherwise disappear on the day of retirement.
On the International Day of Older Persons, this offers a timely lesson. Healthy longevity is not simply about adding years to life; it is about adding value to those years. When experienced citizens continue contributing to national development in meaningful ways, ageing becomes not a burden on society but one of its greatest untapped resources.
Md. Refatul Hossain is former Additional
Director, DAE and Senior Consultant,
Agonochain Limited. He can be reached
