Aging Population in Saudi Arabia Changes and Challenges Mohammed Al-Gabbani Department of Geography King Saud University Riyadh , Saudi Arabia IGC Tunis 15 Aug.2008

Introduction Aging has become recently a phenomenon of population trends in Saudi Arabia with improved health conditions and standard of living.

Introduction Study Objectives: Provides an overview of the aging trends in Saudi Arabia. Sheds light on factors influencing changes in age structure and challenges related to aging. Display some socio-economic characteristics of the elderly.

Introduction This work used 65 years and over to refer to elderly or aging population in Saudi Arabia.

Data Research data were mainly obtained from Saudi Arabia population censuses of 1974, 1992 and 2004. Data from U.N and U.S Census Bureau, where used to supplement data shortages.

Ageing Population Trends Saudi population trends reveal an aging population growing though at a slower pace both in numbers and proportion. The last population census shows that the proportion of younger age groups (below 15years) has decreased from 49.23% in 1992 to 39.92% in 2004, while the proportion of elderly has risen for the same period from 3.26% to 3.5%.

Aging population in Saudi Arabia 1974-2004 % of Total pop. %Change Population 65+ Year 3.9 240,525 1974* 3.3 21.14 401,861 1992 3.5 44.28 575,723 2004 *The 1974 census put aged population under one age group (60 years and over). Source : Calculated from Saudi Arabia Population Censuses 1974,1992,2004.

Ageing Population Trends United Nations projects that the number of Saudi elderly(65years+)will be : About 2.5 million persons by 2030 Around 5.9 million persons in 2050 representing 6.6% and 13% of the total population respectively.

(Saud Arabia Population Aged 65+ (1950-2050 % Aged 80+ (thousands) Aged 65+ % of total Aged 65 + (thousands) Year .2 7 3.3 107 1950 .3 14 3.2 182 1970 41 2.3 372 1990 .4 112 2.9 778 2010 .8 282 6.6 2,458 2030 2.6 1,180 13.0 5858 2050 U.N. Population Division, World Population Prospects 2006: The Population Data Base.

Changes and their Implications on Aging population To give an idea of such changes we look into some demographic and socioeconomic indicators (1974 to 2004) Demographic: Birth rate has declined from 45.9 to 26.5. Death rate has dropped from 16.9 to 3.8. Fertility rate decreased from 7.4 children/woman to 5.5.

Sources: Saudi Population censuses1992, 2004. Saudi Population Growth Rate (Natural Increase) 1974-2004 Growth Rate Year 3.8 1974 3.7 1992 2.5 2004 Sources: Saudi Population censuses1992, 2004.

Changes Demographic: Median age increased from 17.9 years to 23.3 years. Old age index increased from 47.5% in 1992 to 56.6% in 2004. Life expectancy was less than 50 in 1974 rose to 75.2 in 2004. The proportion of elderly aged 80+represented 21.2% of population aged 65+ ( 2004 census).

Saudi Arabia Population life Expectancy 1974-2050 Year 49.75 1974 70.7 1992 75.23 2004 76.51 2010 78.33 2020 79.83 2030 81.03 2040 81.99 2050 U.N. Population Division, World Population Prospects 2006: The Population Data Base.

Changes Socioeconomic: Increased educational opportunities for females resulted in a growth in female labor force participation and change in the traditional roles of women(housewife) and hence late marriage age Low fertility rate(birth control).

Changes Other Socio-economic changes: Rise in income levels.(The propensity of elderly to live alone varies with their income as well as with income of their sons). Rise in divorce rates. 22428 cases of divorce against 115549 cases of marriage were registered in 2005. (With rising incidence of divorce an increase in the proportion of older persons who will live without partner is expected. Rapid urbanization and concentration in major cities. (with increase in migration and mobility some elderly parents are geographically separated from their sons). -.

Profile data from 2004 Saudi population census Saudi Elderly Profile Gender: Aging in Saudi Arabia shows more males than females(50.4%). Profile data from 2004 Saudi population census

Saudi Elderly Profile Marital Status: About 67% were married 94.8% of males and 53.1% of females were married. 42.7% of females and 2.9% of males were widowed. 3.6% of women and 1.1% of men were divorced.

Saudi Elderly Profile Education: 76.1% were illiterate 11.5% had received no schooling but can read and write. Only 7.6% held college or higher educational degrees.

Saudi Elderly Profile Activity Status : 11.3% of elderly were in labor force (94.3% males 5.7% females). 34% were house wives 26.01% were retirees

Saudi Elderly Profile Living Arrangements: Islamic teachings based upon the Holy Quran and prophet Muhammad peace be upon him sayings govern and guide behavior of Muslims. Islam stress familial support and care for the elderly. In Islam the caring for one’s parents is a duty and a blessing.

Saudi Elderly Profile Living Arrangements: Therefore it is common in Saudi society to find parents living with or adjacent or at a walking distance to at least one of their siblings. The needy elderly receive support from relatives, friends and neighbors and charity organizations.

Saudi Elderly Profile Living Arrangements: 33.2% of older persons live within extended families(son or daughter, son or daughter in law, grandson or grand daughter, father or mother, brother or sister or other relatives). 52.2% per cent of older persons were part of nuclear family households. The relatively low proportion of elderly living with other family members indicates an increasing trend towards nuclear family household. Nuclear family is slowly replacing the extended family which has a negative impact on the traditional family role as provider of care to older persons.

Saudi Elderly Profile Institutional Care: Elderly prefer to live in the residence of relatives rather than institutions. There are 10 social care centers in operation throughout Saudi Arabia which offer free care for elderly. These centers were accommodating only 1951 residents (2004 censuses) representing just .3% of the total population aged 65+. According to the Ministry of Social Affairs , 90% of the elderly residing in these centers either have no relatives, divorced, widowed or have no shelter. Only Few of them have relatives.

Saudi Elderly Profile The social well-being of elderly: Saudi Arabia public and private sectors provide pensions for their employees. Elderly retirees proportion rose from 2.91% in 1992 to 4.39% in 2004. The number of retirees swell from 252,004 persons in 2004 to 404,872 in 2006.(Saudi Public Pension Agency)

Saudi Elderly Profile The social well-being of elderly: Many of the retirees were low paid and consequently have low pensions. In a 2004 sample study about retirees in Saud Arabia it was found that: The monthly pension of 22% of the retirees was about $279 putting part of pensioners close to the poverty. 54% their monthly pensions were below $1100 80% mentioned that their expenditure have increased after retirement.

Saudi Elderly Profile The social well-being of elderly: Elderly (especially non-working women) and men who were self employed such as animal herders, farmers, fishermen, taxi drivers have no pensions and most are considered poor. Some of those receive government assistance through social security allowances which cover only some of their needs. Due to the lack of data it is difficult to assess the extent of income security and the social well being of elderly in Saudi Arabia.

Conclusion Population trends reveal an aging population that will grow though at a slower pace. Simply, there will be many more older persons than there are today. Although Saud Arabia still has time on its side this poses great challenges to Saudi society and thus requires planning and preparing for the well-being of this age group.

Conclusion There is a concern for the social well being of aging populations which stems from: Rise in their numbers Increase in life expectancy Change in living pattern Increase pressure on health care Rising living costs especially in urban areas.

Conclusion The quality of life of elderly deserve serious attention including: Family care Health care Old age pensions Job opportunities Housing and transportation in urban areas.

Conclusion Most important there is a need to apply policies and programs that enhance and strengthen familial ties and assist relatives care for the elderly within the family environment rather than institutions, as these institutions cannot substitute love affection from one's own family. A society for elderly care is considered necessary to build data base, conduct research, and to encourage community involvement in providing services, financial support to elderly.

References Saudi Arabia ,Central Department of Statistics, Saudi Arabia Population Census 1974. Saudi Arabia, Central Department of Statistics, Saudi Arabia Population Census 1992. Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Economy and Planning ,Saudi Arabia Population Census 2004. Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Justice. Annual Report 2006. Saud Arabia ,Ministry of Social Affairs, Annual Report 2005. Al-Sultan ,Ali and Ibrahim Eben Taleb, Retired Persons In Saudi Arabia ,Institute of Public Administration ,Riyadh 2003. Saudi Arabia Public Pension Agency, Annual Report,2006. U.N. Population Division, World Population Prospects 2006: The Population Data Base. U.S. Census Bureau, International Data Base 2007.