Caring Communities: ASEAN’s Response to Ageing Challenges

About the Artist Azalia Suhaimi is a Malaysian illustrator, poet, and multimedia artist, whose visual and written work explores the intricate layers of womanhood, motherhood, and self-compassion. Her work is shaped by her multidisciplinary education and passion for various forms of artistic expression. Azalia studied accounting but followed her artistic instincts and pursued photography and, later, a diploma in English literature. A self-taught artist, Azalia honed her skills in digital illustra

ASEAN is dedicated to improving the lives of older people, recognising the profound impact of global ageing trends. By 2023, 8.1 per cent of ASEAN’s population, or 55.9 million people, were aged 65 or older. This demographic shift is set to accelerate significantly. By 2050, every ASEAN Member State will be classified as an ageing, aged, or super-aged society, with the older population projected to reach 128.7 million, making up 16.3 per cent of the total regional population. This demographic sh

Over 100 participants gathered at the ASEAN+Republic of Korea (ROK) Conference on Care and Support for Older Persons, with the theme “Nurturing a Shared Future: Bridging Generations, Strengthening Communities, and Innovating Care” from 30 June to 2 July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

As the population continues to age, the Philippines, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the country’s lead agency for social protection, is intensifying efforts to ensure the dignity, well-being, and active participation of Filipino senior citizens in society through community-driven care, protection, and intergenerational engagement.

As the ASEAN region rapidly progresses, it also faces an unprecedented demographic shift: a rapidly ageing population. Recognising this trend, the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI) was established. ACAI’s aim is to help ASEAN Member States transform the challenges of this democratic transition into opportunities. Launched at the 36th ASEAN Summit in Thailand in November 2019, ACAI plays a pivotal role in fostering healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives for older persons acr

The ASEAN region is undergoing a significant demographic transition. The population of ASEAN countries has grown more than fourfold since 1950, from 164 million to close to 700 million in 2025, and will continue to increase to an estimated 773 million people by 2050. Major changes in population age structures will be seen as a result of this demographic transition, driven by substantial declines in both fertility and mortality, as well as migration. A decreasing trend in annual population growth

Demographic transition in ASEAN The ASEAN region is ageing rapidly: by 2035, the number of older persons aged 60 years and over in the ASEAN region is projected to increase to over 125 million, more than double the 2015 population (ASEAN, 2015). This demographic transition is driven by declining fertility rates, lower mortality rates, and increased life expectancy. It highlights the achievements of ASEAN countries—of economic progress and improvements in public health and living conditions in th

The phenomenon of population ageing is emerging as a critical demographic trend with far-reaching socio-economic and policy implications worldwide. By 2050, the global population aged 65 years and above is projected to reach 1.6 billion (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2023). In India alone, the older population is expected to rise to approximately 346 million, while in the ASEAN region, the population aged 60 and over is projected to reach 149 million (UN Department of Economic an

Malaysia is transitioning into an ageing society, with individuals aged 60 and above expected to comprise more than 15 per cent of the population by 2030. The most pressing challenges include: Limited access to age-friendly healthcare services, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Shortage of trained geriatric care providers, caregivers, and age-sensitive support systems. Rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health issues among older adults. Insufficient social

On 26 May 2025, the Leaders of ASEAN Member States signed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future. Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, took part in the Signing Ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future. With the signing of the Declaration, the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future has been formally adopted. This marks a milestone for ASEAN as it embarks on a new chapter in its Community-building for the next 20 years, towards a resilient,

The ASEAN Community Vision (ACV) 2045 supports the Strategic Plans of the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillars and Connectivity. It includes enhanced institutional capacity and effectiveness in addressing global and regional challenges.

In 2025, the Parliament of Malaysia is honoured to assume the Chairmanship of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), a crucial role in fostering regional parliamentary cooperation. As ASEAN stands at the crossroads of unprecedented global challenges and opportunities, AIPA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that parliamentary institutions lead the way in advancing inclusive growth and sustainability across the region. This year’s theme, “Parliament at the Forefront for Inclu

A new report on gender equality in Southeast Asia shows improvements in women’s education, access to water and sanitation, and political representation—but also warns of their continuing poverty and vulnerability to climate change.

Philippine tourism remains at the forefront of the country’s local economy, contributing an all-time high of 760.50 billion Philippine pesos (approximately 13.2 billion US dollars) in tourism revenue from inbound tourism expenditures in 2024. Approximately 16.4 million Filipinos are employed by the tourism industry alone, accounting for over 34 per cent of the country’s national employment, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s April 2024 Labour Force Survey. These numbers have ceme

The first ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave, held from 24–26 April 2024 in Singapore, was a meaningful step in advancing regional collaboration and gender equity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). It was organised under the ASEAN-India Framework by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India, in association with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, and the ASEAN S

Over the past few decades, ASEAN has rapidly grown into one of the world’s fastest-expanding economic regions. Nations like Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, and the Philippines have consistently posted strong GDP growth rates. The ASEAN economy is projected by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to grow by 4.7 per cent in 2025, and ASEAN is poised to be the fourth largest economy in the world.

Ambassador Vicky Singmin shared her perspectives on ASEAN-Canada cooperation and outlined strategic partnership priorities for the coming decade, focusing on people-to-people connection and free trade partnership. She also emphasised Canada’s global leadership in advancing gender equality and women empowerment, particularly through its commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Ambassador Singmin joined the Canada Mission on 3 April 2023 and will end her term in July 2025. She also serv

It was a sweltering day in Brunei Darussalam in early May 2025. The “feels like” temperature in areas such as Bangar and Pekan Tutong reaches as high as 44 degrees Celsius. The Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department posted social media warnings and urged the public to take precautions.

Sixty-eight-year-old Vanda Ou leads the Cambodian Ageing Network (CAN), a platform uniting organisations and stakeholders to improve the lives of older people in Cambodia.

At 76, Ngai Hin Kwok knows every turn of the trail at Singapore’s MacRitchie Reservoir. On even-numbered days, he laces up his running shoes and moves along the familiar path beneath a canopy of green. On odd-numbered days, he trades his running shoes for bodyweight exercises. Each day, he maintains the strength that has carried him through decades as a jeweller and father of two.

A group of mothers and grandmothers from Wates village, Majalengka, West Java, who bear the financial responsibility of keeping their households afloat, have banded together to form Mother Bank. Co-created by the artist Bunga Siagian, 37, Mother Bank is part lending union, part social enterprise, and part performing ensemble. It is an alternative to bank emok—a traditional credit system in parts of Indonesia that offers easy access to loans but charges high interest rates.