The Status of Elderly People in Nepal (A Study in Manau VDC, Bardiya District)

Abstract

Population ageing is an inevitable outcome of the demographic transition of population from high level of fertility and mortality to lower ones and increased in the life expectancy at birth. The proportion of ageing population is increased all over the world. But the share size is higher in developed than developing countries. On the other hand the growth rate of elderly population is higher in developing countries thandeveloped. Similarly, there is different in the process of ageing with respect tomodernization and technological diffusion in developed and developing countriesrespectively. There is still lack of adequate theories and studies to address the issues ofelderly people in world. Usually, there are two ways of the qualifying the social enquiry.Both have emphasized on value of children from the security prospective and living arrangement. Nepal is also experiencing increasing this proportion since recent past. The sheer size of this population is not high but its negative impacts are started to be seen.Generally, due to migration process of youth and adults and conflicts this proportion ishigh in rural than urban area in Nepal. Some of the policies and programmes have been formulated but its implementation is not existed or poorly existed. As well as poor socioeconomic, demographic and health care services, social security and psychological conditions. In this context, Manau VDC of Bardiya district is selected to observe the status of elderly people with respect to socioeconomic, demographic conditions, health status, living arrangements and future desire/expectation of elderly people.