More old people in TT by 2020, says Rowley

A CONTINUOUS low birth rate, rise in the elderly population and the impact of HIV/AIDS on the young productive population are some of the challenges facing population planners in Trinidad and Tobago.

Planning and Development Minister Dr Keith Rowley said yesterday between 1995-2000 the population growth rate had dropped to 0.5 percent annually with the average number of children per thousand declining. Speaking at Crowne Plaza at the first of two national consultations on Trinidad and Tobago’s progress in achieving the goals of Plan of Action from the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994, Rowley said the continuous low birth rate and high life expectancy levels will result in a large part of the country’s population being over 60. Senior citizens accounted for nine percent of the population in 2000 but by 2020 their population will rise to 230,000 or 15 percent. However, the overall population is expected to increase by approximately 27 percent. “The elderly population will be growing five times as fast as the overall population,” Rowley said.

The implications for welfare and pension are serious so government is working towards accelerating pension reform. Rowley said the Division of Aging under the Ministry of Social Development will monitor and evaluate the dynamic of population aging to provide information which will lead to informed decisions, especially in the areas of health and social security for the elderly. The Population Council (of the Division) has already prepared a draft Survey of Elderly in Trinidad and Tobago. Rowley said the effects of aging have become more complicated due to emigration and HIV/AIDS. This country ranks fourth among Caribbean countries with an HIV prevalence rate of one percent. Providing statistics to show the impact of the disease on the young, Rowley said 71 percent of HIV/AIDS cases were in the 20-49 age group, which also had the highest number of deaths recorded. The virus has been increasing in the 15-19 group. Between 1999-2000 there was a 45 percent increase in the number of cases registered.

He said HIV/AIDS information is crucial in the fight against the disease as it threatened social and economic stability. However, statistics on sexual and reproductive health are lacking or outdated in many areas. He said the last survey on contraceptive use was in 1987. Referring to the distribution of condoms by Advocates for Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, Rowley said he disagreed with giving condoms to minors outside school gates as this created new problems. “Our young people need information and services that will assist them to protect their health and well being and enable them to make responsible and informed decisions and lead productive lives.” He added that youths must be told they have to accept responsibility for themselves. The Population Council is developing a research project to rectify the lack of information on sexual and reproductive health.