Our government is proactively addressing the future needs of its aging population through the imminent rollout of the National Policy for Senior Citizens of Bhutan (NPSCB) 2023. By 2047, projections indicate that one in every ten Bhutanese will be over 65 years old, with one in five surpassing 60. This surge, coupled with changing socio-cultural dynamics, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive support systems for the nation’s senior citizens.
Currently, many elderly Bhutanese grapple with challenges such as poor health, homelessness, food insecurity, and financial instability, particularly in rural regions where the majority reside. Recognizing these pressing issues, the Royal Society for Senior Citizens (RSSC) has spearheaded the development of the NPSCB 2023, aiming to cultivate an inclusive society where seniors can lead meaningful, productive, and dignified lives with equal rights and opportunities.
In a high-level sensitization program held in Thimphu on December 21, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay emphasized the policy’s critical importance. “Under the benevolent leadership of His Majesty The King, elders in Bhutan have always been revered as advisors and nurtured within strong family and community support systems,” he stated. However, Prime Minister Tobgay also highlighted the erosion of these traditional care structures due to youth migration to urban centers and overseas. “There is a growing need to preserve these traditions and instill the importance of caring for senior citizens within families,” he added.
The NPSCB 2023, a concise 16-page document launched last year, outlines nine key interventions designed to enhance the lives of Bhutan’s elderly. These include strengthening family and social support systems, ensuring economic security, improving health and well-being, and developing senior-friendly infrastructure and public services. Additionally, the policy advocates for multigenerational bonding, safety enhancements, media accessibility, and increased research on aging.
Prime Minister Tobgay underscored the necessity of collective responsibility in implementing the NPSCB. “While the government plays a pivotal role, it is essential to involve civil society organizations, local governments, private sectors, religious communities, and individual families as the first line of care for our elderly,” he remarked. This collaborative approach aims to make the policy both practical and sustainable, ensuring that the burden does not rest solely on governmental shoulders.
Addressing infrastructure gaps is a key component of the policy, with plans to introduce ramps, lifts, and accessible public spaces to accommodate the needs of senior citizens. Furthermore, the policy explores engagement opportunities for retirees and provisions for pensions, ensuring that elderly Bhutanese can lead fulfilling lives.
Pema Lhamo, a member of RSSC’s Board of Trustees, highlighted the untapped potential of many retirees. “Many retirees possess a wealth of experience but have limited opportunities to contribute to society. NPSCB could address this,” she stated. Dr. Sangay Thinley, Vice President of RSSC, echoed the sentiment, noting alarming statistics from the 2017 National Statistics Bureau report: 71 percent of senior citizens worry about sickness and death, 63 percent face financial problems, and 41 percent experience neglect, with instances of abuse also reported.
Aligning with the global Decade of the Elderly (2021–2030), Bhutan’s policy underscores the nation’s commitment to improving the lives of its aging population. Senior citizens present at the sensitization program echoed the need for a holistic approach. “Aging is inevitable,” one participant remarked. “But with the right policies in place, senior citizens can continue to play a vital role in our society.”
Bhutan’s elderly population is witnessing unprecedented growth, driven by declining fertility rates and increased life expectancy. In 2022, individuals aged 60 and above constituted 9.5 percent of the population, a figure expected to nearly double to 19.7 percent by 2047. Similarly, those aged 65 and above rose from 6.6 percent in 2022 to a projected 13.4 percent by 2047.
As Bhutan navigates these demographic changes, the NPSCB 2023 stands as a testament to the nation’s dedication to honoring and supporting its elders. With the collective effort of government, civil society, and communities, Bhutan aims to ensure that its senior citizens enjoy healthy, secure, and dignified lives in the years to come.
