MINALOC urges Rwandans to care for the elderly

By Prince Boris CYUBAHIRO.

The Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) has called on all Rwandans to take an active role in supporting the elderly to ensure they live dignified and fulfilling lives in their old age.

Minister of Local Government Habimana Dominique made the appeal on Tuesday in Gishyita Sector, Karongi District, during the national celebration of the International Day of Older Persons.

“Celebrating this day is part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness on the importance of caring for the elderly and supporting vulnerable citizens,” Minister Habimana said. “We are urged to help older persons enjoy a good quality of life.”

In Rwanda, the commitment to elder care is reinforced by the National Policy for Older Persons established in 2021, which focuses on four key pillars: health, economic empowerment, social welfare, and strengthening intergenerational relationships.

The policy also emphasizes the need for early preparation for retirement. Citizens are encouraged to start saving while still able to work, so they can rely on their own resources later in life, reducing dependency on families or the state and contributing to national development through their savings and investments.

Various national programs encourage saving from a young age, including formal banking, employee pension schemes, the Ejo Heza long-term savings plan, and direct support through social protection programs for vulnerable older persons.

Global data shows that the elderly population is growing rapidly, particularly in developing countries.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has stressed that caring for older persons is a shared responsibility, noting that their contributions are vital to social and economic development and to achieving global well-being goals.

“As this year’s theme reminds us, older persons are a powerful force for transformation,” Guterres said. “They must have a voice in policymaking, in ending age-based discrimination, and in building inclusive societies.”

The International Day of Older Persons, marked annually on October 1, is a call from the United Nations to recognize and harness the often-overlooked contributions of older people, while ensuring systems are in place to improve their well-being and participation in society.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noted that by 2050, one in five people worldwide will be aged 60 or older. “Our goal is to ensure that all older people can access the health services they need, regardless of their health status or where they live,” he said.

Older adults are more likely to experience multiple chronic conditions simultaneously, yet most current health systems focus on treating individual diseases separately. WHO recommends integrating care services tailored to the complex needs of older persons, alongside strong primary healthcare and community-based support from health workers.

The broader aim is to empower and enable older people to remain active contributors to their families and communities. This requires respecting their rights, needs, and preferences, and creating systems that support their participation and well-being.

According to the UN, the number of people aged 60 or older has more than doubled — from 541 million in 1995 to 1.2 billion in 2025 — and is projected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050. By 2080, the global population aged 65 and above will outnumber children under 18.

Life expectancy worldwide has risen to 73.5 years in 2025, an increase of 8.6 years since 1995. The number of people aged 80 and above is expected to surpass that of young children by 2030, reaching 265 million.

In 2018, for the first time in history, the number of people over 65 exceeded the number of children under five. By 2030, the global population of older persons will outnumber youth and double the number of children under five.

For more insights on Rwanda’s approach to inclusive healthcare for the elderly, read our previous coverage: Rwanda Marks International Day of Older Persons with Renewed Call for Inclusive Healthcare.