Understanding ageing in the Arab region

Published

Accurate and comprehensive data is essential for shaping effective policies and improving the lives of older people. However, a lack of reliable data on ageing remains a significant challenge, making it harder to address their needs and ensure their rights are protected. This data gap is a major barrier to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at both national and international levels. 

Recognising this, HelpAge International and the UNFPA Arab States Regional Office (ASRO) have developed ageing country profiles for 18 Arab countries. These profiles aim to highlight existing data gaps, promote evidence-based policymaking, and drive action to uphold the rights and wellbeing of older people. 

Background: 

In 2020, HelpAge in partnership with UNFPA ASRO, conducted a review of national ageing strategies in six countries – Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. The aim was to assess how well these strategies included the rights of older people and their alignment with international human rights frameworks. 

While the review found provisions that, if fully implemented, would enhance older people’s rights, it also highlighted significant gaps. One major challenge was the lack of data, which hinders efforts to strengthen policies and improve practices. 

 

The how-to guide – a practical tool to build better data for older people 

To support the development of these profiles, a practical how-to guide has also been produced. The guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to create a country profile on the rights and wellbeing of older people. It outlines the key data sources to consult, offers templates for presenting information in an accessible infographic style, and includes guidance on identifying data gaps and formulating relevant policy recommendations. 

The how-to guide is a valuable tool for governments, national statistics offices, civil society organisations, and others working in the field of ageing. It is designed to be used in a range of settings, including those with limited data availability, and aims to build capacity for better data collection, analysis, and use. Ultimately, it helps ensure that older people are visible in statistics and that their rights and needs are reflected in national development plans and strategies. 

Jordan - Older woman

Country profiles on the rights and wellbeing of older persons: a how-to-guide from the Arab region

A practical guide to developing and using country profiles on the rights and wellbeing of older persons in the Arab region, based on HelpAge and UNFPA’s experience across 18 countries – Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Algeria, Libya, Yemen, Djibouti, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Read more here.

Good data is the foundation of good policy. This guide empowers governments and organisations to uncover the realities of older people’s lives and ensure they are no longer invisible in statistics. Only with the right information can we uphold their rights and plan for societies that work for all ages.

Chris McIvor, Eurasia and the Middle East Representative at HelpAge International.

What is a country profile on the rights and wellbeing of older people? 

A country profile on the rights and wellbeing of older people is a concise, infographic-style summary that presents key information about the situation of older people in a specific country.  

It focuses on four main areas: 

  • a demographic overview with statistics on income, health, education, autonomy, and safety;  
  • a review of how national policies and strategies address the rights of older women and men;  
  • an assessment of data availability and gaps; and  
  • clear recommendations to improve the quality and accessibility of data. 

These profiles provide a useful snapshot to support evidence-based policymaking. 

Country profiles are vital tools for advancing the rights of older people and ensuring they are included in national development agendas. While global frameworks like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Regional Arab Strategy for Older Persons call for inclusive policies, many countries lack accurate, timely, and disaggregated data, especially in humanitarian and migratory settings. These profiles aim to spotlight the realities of older people, expose critical data gaps, and increase demand for better data among policymakers and stakeholders, ultimately enabling more inclusive and informed decision-making. 

By highlighting these issues and promoting better data collection and usage, the country profiles serve as a valuable tool in advocating for stronger protections and policies for older people across the Arab region.