Gerontology

Population aging, also called the "graying of the planet" is increasing in developing countries. The UN Report on aging (2023) indicated that demand for long term care is soaring in many countries as the population of older persons increases. UNFPA (2022) highlights Kenya's 2019 census that points to the expected trebling of the number of older people to 10.3% by 2050. The life expectancy in Kenya between 2019 and 2023 rose from 66.70 to 67.47 while total fertility rate declined from a high of 8.1 in 1977-78 to 3.4 children per woman in 2022. This rapid population aging is happening on the backdrop of limited economic and social resources. Current trends indicate that many older African adults are now permanent residents in cities. Most studies on older peoples' experiences in urban contexts are in richer countries. The National Policy on Older Persons in Kenya explicitly includes the objective to facilitate the provision of reasonable care and assistance to older persons by both family and the state.