- Over the next decades, most small island developing States (SIDS) are projected to experience a rapid increase in both the share and the number of people aged 65 years or over. In half of the SIDS, the size of the older population will double between now and 2055.
- All SIDS, even those with youthful populations today, should embrace forward-looking strategies to capitalize on the opportunities that population ageing will bring, while also addressing the context-specific challenges it may pose.
- SIDS may wish to adopt a multifaceted, life-course approach, encompassing policies to meet the specific healthcare, food security, social protection, skills development, job creation, and investment needs of an ageing society.
- Building the so-called “silver economy” and seizing opportunities for a “silver dividend” could not only improve the quality of life of older persons but also contribute to economic diversification, leading to a more resilient and sustainable future for SIDS.