Elder abuse victims could reach 320 million by 2050, UN warns

Elder abuse remains one of the world's most underreported social problems, with around one in six people aged 60 and over experiencing some form of mistreatment, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, the UN called for stronger action under this year’s theme, “Beyond Awareness: Making the Prevention of Elder Abuse Work.”

Elder abuse can take physical, psychological, financial or neglect-related forms, affecting older adults' health, well-being and quality of life.

Aging population to drive sharp increase

The scale of the problem is expected to grow significantly as the global population ages.

UN data show the number of people aged 60 and over is projected to reach 2 billion by 2050, up from 1 billion in 2019. As a result, the number of elder abuse victims could rise to around 320 million worldwide.

The increase is expected to be particularly pronounced in developing countries, where elder care systems and legal protections are often less developed.

Lasting health and financial impacts

Elder abuse can lead to physical injuries, depression, accelerated cognitive decline and, in severe cases, premature death.

Financial exploitation, including fraud, theft and coercion, can leave victims facing long-term economic hardship, while social isolation and placement in care facilities may further weaken support networks.

Calls for stronger prevention measures

Governments and organizations have introduced awareness campaigns, caregiver support programs, helplines and emergency shelters to address the issue.

However, the UN says significant gaps remain in data collection, prevention strategies and frontline worker training, particularly in developing countries.

The organization also highlighted the growing overlap between aging and disability, calling for closer coordination between services to ensure older adults receive adequate protection and support.

Source:turkiyetoday