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■2064年，本港將有三分一人口達65歲或以上。特區政府應盡早應對人口老化。 資料圖片
據政府統計處最新公佈數據，預計本港人口每年平均增長0.4%，總人口由現時約720多萬，到2043年升至頂峰的822萬。港人的平均壽命估計亦會延長，在2064年，男性平均壽命增至87歲，女性92歲半。
其中引人憂慮的是，本港人口老化情況持續，65歲或以上人口比例，將由現時約15%，上升至2064年的33%。按照聯合國的標準，一個地區60歲以上的老人，如果達到總人口的7%至10%，該地區就算是老齡化社會。
面對人口持續老化和港人壽命相應延長，未來的香港社會能否有效應對相應的難題呢？
香港與其他發達國家或地區相比，長者貧窮較為嚴重。根據2012年的統計數據，香港現時有接近30萬的長者生活於低收入家庭，佔整體長者人口的32.6%。現在還沒有建立全民退休保障制度和醫療保險制度，強積金也難以確保在職人士日後退休生活。
負責任的政府應該趕在嚴重老年化來臨之前，高度重視，着手研究，為將來面對的問題規劃出應對之策。
Take measures before populace grows too old
The latest data released by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) project a local population growth from the current estimate of 7.2 million, at a rate of 0.4% per annum, to a peak of 8.22 million in 2043. Domestic life expectancy at birth is also expected to extend; by 2064 males will probably live to 87 years and females 92.5 years.
What arouses our concern is the continuously ageing population: elderly people aged 65 and above will go up to 33% in 2064, from the current 15%. By the United Nations' standard, a society is defined as ageing if its citizens aged 60 or above compose 7% to 10% of the total population.
Sailing through the impending challenges posed by our ageing population and extending life expectancies, can the future Hong Kong weather the storm?
The issue of elderly poverty is more pressing here than it is in other developed countries or regions. Some 2012 statistics show that about 0.3 million aged citizens are living on the rocks, which is 32.6% of the elderly population. Currently there is neither universal retirement protection scheme nor health insurance scheme, and the retirement protection the Mandatory Provident Fund offers is hardly ever sufficient.
A responsible government should see something very urgent in the matter-and undertake studies and draw up countermeasures promptly before our populace grows too old.■Jeffrey Tse [ywc_jeffrey@hotmail.com]
Learning Point
文章除討論人口老化問題外，亦提及到香港福利政策。以下是一些香港已實施或獲提議的社會政策，讀者可搜集資料後作課堂討論，以增加對社會議題的認知。
Universal Retirement Protection Scheme 全民退休保障計劃
Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme 自願醫保計劃
Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes 強制性公積金
Old Age Allowance 高齡津貼（生果金）
Old Age Living Allowance 長者生活津貼（特惠生果金）
Comprehensive Social Security Assistance 綜合社會保障援助計劃（綜援）
Transport Support Scheme 交通費支援計劃 （舊交津）
Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme 鼓勵就業交通津貼計劃（新交津）
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