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Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2016; 7(1):27-36 

 

 

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The Situation of the Elderly in Bangladesh 

 

Antoni Barikdar 1, Tahera Ahmed 2, Shamima Parvin Lasker 3 

1. Project Manager-Health, World Vision Bangladesh, 

2. Former Acting Chief, SRHR, UNFPA, 

3. Professor and Head of Anatomy, MH Somrorita Medical Hospital & College, Dhaka. 

 

Abstract: In Bangladesh due to improved quality of life the number of people over 60 years is 

increasing rapidly. This should be seen as an emerging challenge as the elderly will have special 

needs and require different care-giving services. Since Bangladesh does not have a social welfare 

system there will be competition for inadequate resources specially health and medical services 

.It is envisaged that due to more elderly population the demographic structure will undergo a 

slow change from the present pyramid structure.  The growing trend towards nuclear family or 

where children live abroad will put the elderly parents in a dilemma-the financial and social 

support that is essential for them has not yet emerged. The nutrition and health status of elderly 

people depend on adequate food safe water, proper sanitation facilities and maintaining hygienic 

standards. To provide special medical care for the elderly there is a need to establish WHO 

recommended Age-Friendly Primary Health Care centers and separate wards /units are to be set 

up in the hospitals. To reduce vulnerability of older women there is a need to distribute assets 

and properties according to the law. . Our new generations have to be responsive, informed and 

attentive about their duties and responsibilities towards the elderly people. Taking proper care of 

the elderly is our ethical duty and responsibility. 

 

Key words: situation; elderly; ageing; Bangladesh 

 

Introduction: A person mainly passes five stages in his lifespan. The stages are infancy, 

childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. Old age starts after sixty years of age and ends in 

death. Old age is one of the vulnerable situations in a natural process of life. In this stage, people 

experience decreased physical strength and deteriorating health conditions with age related 

disease. All over the world proportion of elderly are increasing where numbers of children are 

decreasing. According to World Population Ageing Report 2013, World‘s population 60+, 65+ 

and 80+ were 840628, 570459 and 120199 respectively. Moreover this number were 468549, 

307699 and 57576in Asia, 60033, 38513 and 5248in Africa,  169874, 125152 and 33239in 

Europe 1 .The statistical data of Bangladesh represent the number of aged population has 

increased from 1.38 million to 7.59 million from the year of 1974-20012. Bangladesh is the 

seventh largest populated (152.51 million) and most densely (1015 person live per square 

kilometers) country3. Furthermore, the nuclear family is increasing in Bangladesh day by day 

and older people left alone living separately from their family and becoming vulnerable. This 

condition demands more health and welfare services and more provision to the elderly support 

system4, 5. 



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2016; 7(1):27-36 

 

 

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There is not enough data about the situation of elderly people in Bangladesh. Therefore, this 

retrospective study was done on elderly population of Bangladesh to identify emerging issues 

and challenges of the elderly and to explore different type of vulnerabilities of elderly people in 

Bangladesh. 

 

Methodology: This study focuses on vulnerability about elderly people of Bangladesh. For this, 

we have chosen different types of paper work and networking as well as some qualitative tools as 

research methodology. The major sources of information of this study were literature review. 

Literature review was done using different search engine e.g. Google scholar, online library 

PubMed between 1974 and2015.  Key words were elderly, old people, aging, elderly, condition, 

Bangladesh, world. This study prepared as internship report for the fulfillment of the 

requirements of the Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree of North South University, Dhaka, 

Bangladesh. 
 

 

Definition: Elderly people: Most people above 60 years of age are considered as ‘old’. Those 

who are 60 years and above makeup the elderly section of any population6.  Though this age 

limit also applies to Bangladesh,7, in reality people in this country become older earlier because 

of poverty, and the conditions related like hard labor, malnutrition, illness and their geographical 

condition7. 

 

Population ageing: Defined as an increase proportion of population, which is elderly7. 

 

Social safety net:  This is a network of services usually provided by the state which includes 

social services like old age benefits, healthcare, shelters, and subsidized services such as public 

transport, which prevent individuals from falling into poverty8. 

 

Elderly people: context Bangladesh: Previously the society of Bangladesh took care of the 

elderly but now the situation is becoming changed due to change of social, psychological and 

economic standpoint. Social, economic and political viewpoint elderly population is now 

growing rapidly and it’s a big concern for Bangladesh. According to the National census 

between 1974 and 2011 the growth of elderly people is gradually increasing. In 1974, the 

populations between 60-64 years were 1682629 and in 2011 the numbers were 3218974. At the 

same way aged between 65-69 years population were 735255 and 1998760in 1974 and 2011 

respectively. In the same period of time populations of elderly over 70 years were 1639056 to 

1998760. Report shows that percentage of elderly people age between 60-64, 65-69, 70-75 and 

over 70 years were 37%, 21% 20% and 22% respectively. According the report of Bangladesh 

Bureau of Statistics the trends of elderly population increase gradually. Figure 1 shows the 

gradual increased percentage of elderly in Bangladesh. 



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2016; 7(1):27-36 

 

 

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Figure 1: Trend in percentage of elderly population in Bangladesh 9 

 

A study report shows that in Bangladesh, majority of the people over 60 live in the rural areas 

where there is a lack of proper health care services, economic services and job opportunities are 

very limited. The situation of the elderly is dismal where more than 50% of the elderly are 

widowed or single9.63% are jobless and 14-15% engaged in agricultural works and daily labor. 

This compares badly with that of Tehran where 85% elderly are unofficially employed10. Elder 

person encountered non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases including heart 

attacks and stroke, chronic respiratory diseases including chronic obstructed pulmonary disease 

and asthma, renal disease cancers, and diabetes as well as other chronic diseases11, 12. 

 

Moreover, research shows that children of older parents in Bangladesh live in cities for 

education, employment or living. Again, the older people fill comfortable to live in the rural 

settings and sometimes children are leaving their older parents to live in the city.13 44.3% people 

live in poverty and in order to maintain their living expenses as well as family needs; the elderly 

people get  involved in beggary14 However, older women especially widows and those who are 

without sons are facing economic vulnerability and consequence of health problem15, 16. 

 

Modern society has failed to keep the dignity and honor of the elders. This may be attributed to 

various reasons like individualistic attitudes, instability of family structures, devaluation of 

dignity, differences in incomes, and other social problems17. The same scenario is happening in 

Bangladesh. 

 

Constitution of the Bangladesh mentioned the rights of elderly people. In the constitution part II 

section 15 entitled “Provision of Basic Necessities” described social security of the elderly 

people as the “ provision of the basic necessities of life, including food, clothing, shelter, 

education and medical care; the right to reasonable rest, recreation and leisure; and the right to 

social security, that is to say, to public assistance in cases of undeserved want arising from 

unemployment, illness or disablement, or suffered by widows or orphans or in old age, or in 

other such cases mentioned in the 15 (a) (c) and (d) clause respectively18.” 

5.7 5.6 5.42

6.38

7.48

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1974 1981 1991 2001 2011

% of elderly



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2016; 7(1):27-36 

 

 

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Old age allowance introduce in Bangladesh in the Fiscal Year (FY)’1997-1998 and the main 

objectives of this allowance is ensuring socio-economic development and social security for the 

elderly; increase dignity of elderly within family and community. Aim of the allowance is to 

strengthening of mental health through grant for Medicare and increase of nutritional support for 

elderly people of Bangladesh. The age of 65 years for male and 62 years for female whose yearly 

average income not exceeding 10,000 BDT are considered eligible for the old age allowance. 

The total budget in FY’1997-1998 was 125.00 million BDT and monthly allocation for 100 taka 

per person and total beneficiary were 40,311. That amount of grant per head has been increased 

in the present FY’ 2015-2016.Bangladesh government allocated BDT 14,400 million and the 

total beneficiary is 3 million, each beneficiary getting 400 BDT per head per month19. 

 

However, Bangladesh has pension policies to ensure social security on old age for retired 

government employees only. According to Public Service Retirement Act 1974b now the 

retirement age of government employee of Bangladesh is 59 years20. 

 

Bangladesh introduced Program Implementation Plan for protecting old age health and ensures 

health care. This program aims to provide efficient and sustainable health service delivery and 

management system with skilled and special emphasis on the development of a sustained health 

system and improved and responsive efficient human resources21. 

 

Recently the Parent Care Act 2013 of Bangladesh tried to ensure that the children have to take 

necessary steps to look after their parents for three years and provide them with maintenance. 

But it is not in fully functioning yet. 22. 

 

Many elderly welfare organizations work for elderly people and elderly people to get involved 

with the elderly welfare organization. Such as, Probin Hitoishi Kendra, Probin Hitoishi Sangha 

Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (BAAIGM), Retired 

officers Welfare Association (Dhaka), Retired Police Officers Welfare Association (Dhaka), 

Service Center for Elderly People (Rajshahi), Elderly Development Initiative (Manikganj), 

Senakalyan Sangstha, etc. 

 

There are initiatives taken by government and NGOs and social organizations for elderly but it is 

not enough to cover the whole elderly population of Bangladesh. 

 

Elderly in traditional situation:  Traditionally, the son is to take responsibility to provide food 

and shelter to their parents as well as take care of the other elderly members of their family. Due 

to their economic condition they are not able to meet the basic needs. Sometimes older people 

get involved in begging to meet their needs as well family needs14. 
 



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2016; 7(1):27-36 

 

 

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In Bangladesh customarily gender roles are clearly defined and accepted. It is usually the men 

who are the main source of income while women maintain the household. In this male dominated 

society it is often the older men are still involved in economic activities23. 
 

Still in Bangladesh older persons are   respected and valued in the society. They have a special 

position in the family, often asked for advice especially during major events, like marriage, name 

giving ceremonies etc. In many joint families and households, they not only continue receiving 

care and support from the family members but also provide care to the family members such as 

financial help and love and care to grandchildren. No in this day in rural and urban area 

especially urban area both male and female are employed. In those families where parents are 

employed, grandparents are taking care of the family.   

 

In Bangladesh older people are treated as an important advisor in the family as well as 

community. The older people resolve the family as well as community level problems. But this 

situation is changing for family setup and social change23.  
 

 

Findings: root causes of vulnerability of elderly in Bangladesh: Available literature shows 

that in our society, elderly person are facing many kinds of social, mental, medical and economic 

problem. Because of their age, the elderly in Bangladesh is facing following challenges. Figure 2 

shows the cause of vulnerability of elderly. 

 

Due to the social context of Bangladesh, most of women in rural and slum area do not own land 

and other property and they are on worse situation in the old age, though the country has law to 

distribute assets and land to the women. Moreover, according to the Muslim Personal Law 

(Shariat) application act, 1937 (ACT NO. XXVI OF 1937) the wife inherits one-eight if there is 

child and if there be no child gets one-fourth24. 

 

In Bangladesh traditional family patterns are breaking down which change norms and values 

such as respect to elderly people in the family and the community. As a result vulnerability of the 

elderly people is increasing. The vulnerability is in terms of food consumption, shelter, 

community and social attitude. 

 

In Bangladesh, the elderly suffer from multiple health problems. Such as, weakness, tooth 

problem, hearing problem, vision problem, body ache, back pain, rheumatic pain and stiffness in 

joint, dementia, prolonged cough, breathing difficulty, asthma, palpitation, high blood pressure 

and micturition incompetence, which may demand long term psychosocial treatment, nursing 

care and hospitalization.  

 

 

 



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2016; 7(1):27-36 

 

 

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Root causes of vulnerability 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elderly people are sometimes abused by community and also by the family members. Due to 

increasing small sized family elderly people are living a corner of the house. Elderly people now 

are often living in isolation as other family members are busy with  their own business and do 

not have enough time to spend with them .In this modern life children are living in cities for 

earning, or for education. Their parents live in separately in the rural setup, and in this busy life 

children are not able to visit their parents regularly. As a result parents feel lonely and isolated. 

Economic 
Intermediate 

cause Illness Emotional 

Vulnerable elderly people 

Family burden 

Immediate 

Cause 

-Retirement  

-No income 

source  

-No fixed income 

 

-Age 

-Decrease body 

resistance 

-Chronic disease 

 

-No attachment 

with family 

members 

-Feel lonely 

 

-Unemployment 

-Unfit for work 

-No income 

source 

Underlying 

Cause 

Basic Cause 

 

-Physically unfit 

for work  

-Less education  

-Don‘t get 

support from 

descendants  

-No son   

-Have to pay loan 

-Absence of 

strong social 

security system  

 

-Less 

employment 

opportunity  

-Treatment cost 

is high 

-Economic 

insolvency  

–Lack of income 

source  

-Lack of proper 

care 

-Died of spouse 

 

-Family members 

away from them 

 

 

 

-Absence of 

adequate health 

facilities for 

elderly 

 

-Lack of laws for 

elderly people. 

-Lack of elder 

friendly 

environments in 

the society 

-Don’t get support 

from family 

members 

-Lack and less 

implementation 

of the laws.  

Main Problem 

Figure 2: Root causes of vulnerability 



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2016; 7(1):27-36 

 

 

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Loneliness and anxiety are grave emotional problems encountering the older population, 

especially for the elderly women. Life expectancy of Bangladeshi people is 65 for male and 68 

for female (Ref).  In this study revealed that that the situation of older women is much worse 

than older men because of their longer life expectancy and extreme vulnerability due to social 

and economic marginalization. 

 

Emerging issues and challenges of elderly: Taking adequate care of the elderly will be a major 

challenge for Bangladesh. This is mainly due to inadequate resources being allocated for the 

services to the elderly and no proper planning or strategic interventions for providing holistic 

care to them. The emerging issues of the elderly are mentioned as a ‘current and upcoming 

challenges’ in the draft National Health Policy, 200825. The challenges are: 

 

Unemployment and burden: Elder persons are being considered “unemployable” because of their 

age and forced to stop working because of mandatory retirement ages. The ratio of work force to 

dependent population will show too many dependent people which will lead to a burden for the 

working group. 

 

More treatment cost: Elder person facing non-communicable diseases which may need long term 

treatment and its cause burden more treatment cost and nursing care. The economic vulnerable 

people cannot afford the treatment cost to treat the older people 

 

Considerable resources need: As the increasing size of the elderly population in Bangladesh will 

become a major social challenge, well planned programmes have to be undertaken and adequate 

resources allocated for the support, of the elderly population.  

 

Pressure in pension scheme: With people enjoying longer lives pension schemes will have more 

beneficiaries who will be eligible for pensions for a longer period. 

 

Social security scheme system will come under increasing pressure: Social security schemes will 

have to accommodate more people and therefore will be under pressure. 

 

 

Conclusion: The root causes of vulnerably of elderly are medical, economical, emotional and 

social issues which are concerns not only for the individual or family, but s also a concern for the 

community. Increase in medical costs, pressure on social security and unemployment are main 

challenges of elderly facing in Bangladesh. Elderly have knowledge, experience, and wisdom. 

Society can use these resources of elderly in the national reconstruction. They are the asset of the 

nation. It is the responsibility of everyone to take care of them and utilize this asset. The elderly 

is the last stage of our life cycle and a reality. Everybody has to pass through this stage. So it is 

the responsibility of all citizens of Bangladesh to come forward for the wellbeing of our elderly.  



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2016; 7(1):27-36 

 

 

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Recommendations: To ensure wellbeing of elderly persons following measures should be taken.  

1. Dialogue with the family members of the elderly persons to ensure their wellbeing and 

proper care.  

2. Family members, students, practitioners should be trained in elderly care.  

3. The elderly themselves should be educated in self-care.  

4. Aware and motivate the elderly people to involve with the elderly welfare organizations. 

5. For elderly care and responsibilities should be including in text book to teach new 

generation to teach theirs roles and responsibility.  

6. Establishment of recreation facilities for the old people, 

7. To ensure good health and refresh mind of elderly people need to ensure home-based and 

institute-based health care centers where they receive proper nursing and care.  To ensure 

refresh mind need to established recreation centers for them.  

8. Increase NGO services such as outdoor and indoor health care. 

9. Retirement age should increase to 65 years to create opportunities and they can utilize 

their productive years for the benefit of the society and can establish their positive image 

in the country. 

10. Increase large scale social security programs, like, pension, old age allowance and health 

insurance.  Government should increase outdoor service units in government hospitals 

and special free transport services for the elderly. 

11. Implement recommendation of Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging and 

Political Declaration and Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. 

12. Need to have a detailed survey providing current data on the number and conditions of 

the aged.  

 

 

Limitations of the study:  

We used qualitative tools for data collection but only qualitative findings are not sufficient for 

entire data analysis. For this it was needed to use quantitative data collection tools in this 

research. 

 

Further scope of study:  

Though we have some limitations in our study this study will also open opportunities for further 

research regarding elderly people such as study on indigenous people elderly people in 

Bangladesh.  

 

Conflict of Interest:  All authors declared no conflict of interest. 

 

 

 

 



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