17 percent of Fiji’s population will be “old” by 2050.

This was revealed by the Social Welfare Permanent Secretary – Govind Sami.

Sami says latest surveys show that fertility rates have been falling since the 1950s among Fijians of Indian Descent and since the 1960s for i-Taukei.

He says rural-urban and international migration has also accelerated over the past two decades and these trends lead to an ageing population.

Sami adds the rate of growth of the 60+ population will likely remain above 3% per year for the next 20 years.

Health Expenditures per capital is estimated to be 3-5 times higher than those less than 65 years of age.

Meanwhile, cabinet has approved the formulation of a National Policy on Ageing and the Elderly.