Botswana's Elderly Face Care Deficit Despite Pension Growth
A recent study analyzing twenty years of data reveals a critical imbalance in Botswana’s social protection system for the elderly. While the government has significantly expanded its universal old-age pension program, including lowering the eligibility age to 60 and increasing benefits, investment in essential care services has stagnated or declined in real terms. This disparity persists despite an economic contraction projected for 2026, driven by a slowdown in the diamond sector, which forces difficult fiscal choices. The population of citizens aged 60 and above has doubled to approximately 279,000, intensifying the demand for long-term care due to increased chronic illnesses and disability among older adults. However, spending on community home-based care has decreased, and access to destitute and disability allowances remains limited. Consequently, while pensions provide crucial income support for many households, they fail to address the growing need for health and personal care, leaving a significant portion of the ageing population without adequate assistance. The report highlights the urgent policy challenge of balancing income support with care infrastructure amidst tightening public finances.
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Botswana's Elderly Face Care Deficit Despite Pension Growth
A recent study analyzing twenty years of data reveals a critical imbalance in Botswana’s social protection system for the elderly. While the government has significantly expanded its universal old-age pension program, including lowering the eligibility age to 60 and increasing benefits, investment in essential care services has stagnated or declined in real terms. This disparity persists despite an economic contraction projected for 2026, driven by a slowdown in the diamond sector, which forces difficult fiscal choices. The population of citizens aged 60 and above has doubled to approximately 279,000, intensifying the demand for long-term care due to increased chronic illnesses and disability among older adults. However, spending on community home-based care has decreased, and access to destitute and disability allowances remains limited. Consequently, while pensions provide crucial income support for many households, they fail to address the growing need for health and personal care, leaving a significant portion of the ageing population without adequate assistance. The report highlights the urgent policy challenge of balancing income support with care infrastructure amidst tightening public finances.
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