Developing Countries: Rural Areas

The traditional continuity of life style leading to stability has been the centuries old practice in rural areas in developing countries. Since changes in lifestyle are minimal, very little planning is required in rural areas. This continues to be the situation today. It is likely that the pattern of care of the elderly within the joint family system will remain for most of the next century. Increasing facilities such as electricity and telecommunications and gadgets and medical facilities may make life a little easier for the rural elderly of tomorrow.

The youth of today who will be the elderly of tomorrow do not appear to be preparing for the social and demographic changes which are occurring in most societies. It is likely that the elderly of tomorrow will face severe financial hardships since there is no organized social security in rural areas and they themselves do not plan for financial security in old age.

The urban migration referred to previously is going to affect village life.

In some areas of India, older people already have no children living with them to take care of them. Due to economic pressures in urban areas, their children are not able to repatriate any money to the villages to support their parents financially. In future generations, this will become a major problem to the extent that older people will have to fend for themselves.