DUSHANBE, October 1, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan is not the best place to grow old, according to an index of the quality of later life in 96 countries.

HelpAge International''s Global AgeWatch Index measures the social and economic welfare of those over 60.

Published on the UN International Day of Older Persons, it ranks Tajikistan 61st among 96 countries in terms of quality of later life.

According to the index, Norway is the best place for older people.  Norway is closely followed by Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and Germany  

Global AgeWatch Index ranks Australia, Western Europe and North America highly, and Afghanistan last.

The report predicts that by 2050, 21% of the global population will be over 60.

The index measures four areas - income security, health, personal capability and whether the person lives in an “enabling environment.” 

The report says that by 2050, some 40 countries in the index will have populations where 30% are aged 60 or over.

We will recall that last year Global AgeWatch Index ranked Tajikistan 52nd among 92 countries.

According to the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, the current number of pensioners in Tajikistan is more than 607,700 people (working pensioners are not included).  In Tajikistan, the minimum monthly pension amounts to 200.00 somoni (equivalent to some 40.00 U.S. dollars).  Current pension wage for men is 63 years and for women is 58 years.