(건강) 지구상에서 노인들이 가장 살기 좋은 나라 노르웨이

출처: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-29426285

30 September 2014 Last updated at 23:02

Global AgeWatch Index: Norway best for older people 지구상에서 노인들이 가장 살기 좋은 나라 노르웨이

Norway is the best country for older people, followed by neighbouring Sweden 노르웨이가 노인이 살기에 가장 좋은 나라고, 그 다음이 스웨덴

Norway is the best place to grow old, according to an index of the quality of later life in 96 countries. 96개국 노인들의 삶의 질 지수에 의하면, 노르웨이는 세상에서 노인들이 살기에 가장 좋은 나라이다.

HelpAge International's Global Age Watch Index measures the social and economic welfare of those over 60. 헬프에이지 인터네셔널의 전세계 나이 감시 지표는 60개국 이상의 사회적 경제적 복지를 측정한다.

Published on the UN International Day of Older Persons, it ranks Australia, Western Europe and North America highly, and Afghanistan last. 유엔이 정한 노인의 날에 발표된 바에 의하면, (노인 삶의 질 지수에서) 호주, 서유럽과 북미가 상위를 차지했고, 아프카니스탄이 꼴찌를 차지했다.

The report predicts that by 2050, 21% of the global population will be over 60. 이 보고서는 2050년이 되면 지구상 인구의 21%가 60세 이상이 된다고 예측한다.

The index measures four areas - income security, health, personal capability and whether the person lives in an "enabling environment". 수치는 네 가지, 즉 수입의 안정성, 건강, 개인적 능력, 당사자가 "좋은 환경"에 살고 있는지 여부를 측정했다.

Hot on the heels of Norway comes Sweden, closely followed by Switzerland, Canada and Germany. 노르웨이(1위)를 바짝 따라서 스웨덴(2위), 스위스(3위), 카나다(4위), 독일(5위)이 차지했다.

The report says that by 2050, some 40 countries in the index will have populations where 30% are aged 60 or over. 이 보고서에 의하면, 2050년이 되면, 40개국에서 60세 이상의 인구가 30%에 육박할 것이라 내다봤다.

The UN has said that the number of those aged 60 or over is expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2030. 유엔은 일찌기 2030년이면 60세 이상의 인구가 14억에 이를 것이라 내다봤다.

Mexico has shot up the index for its commitment to income security for older people

Analysis: Mike Wooldridge, world affairs correspondent

Experts point out that the increasing numbers of people surviving into older age are, of course, a cause for celebration - advances in healthcare and in nutrition, better sanitation, and more economic prosperity are all contributory factors.

Add in other factors like falling birth rates and it is clear why we see not just more people living longer, but countries with higher percentages of older people as well.

But the question is whether this can be turned into more positive ageing for those who have little or no social protection or savings - an acute challenge for many in the developing world.

It is made worse where the tradition of caring for the elderly within extended families is weakening.

There is change taking place. The growth of tax-financed, non-contributory "social pensions" is seen as key to helping to tackle inequality for the older age group.

A slogan often heard in global development is "leave no-one behind" - the welfare of those in later life is as much of a test of it as the young.

Several Latin American countries - particularly Mexico and Peru - have leapt up the index for their commitment in ensuring "social pensions" for the poorest older people.

These are tax-financed, non-contributory pensions that ensure a basic income for the most vulnerable.

In Mexico, nearly nine out of every 10 people aged 65 and over receive a social pension.

Because of this, Mexico ranks at 30 on the index, outstripping the BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Peru has implemented the Pension 65 programme, which provides older people with 250 nuevo soles (£53) every two months.