Of the competing forces threatening to destabilise nations around the
world, population ageing appears a lightweight in a ring of undisputed heavyweights.
However, global demographic trends indicate ageing populations are set
to initiate a revolution, heralding a crisis unprecedented in world history. Like
other developing nations, Trinidad and Tobago finds itself at the forefront of this
phenomenon with 12% (156,000 persons) of its total population aged 60 years
and over. Through the development pillar of Vision 2020: Nurturing a Caring
Society, programmes have been developed/implemented to treat with elderly issues
in the society. Though there is expansive literature about the ageing demographic in
developed nations, very little is known about population ageing in the Caribbean
region and by extension the developing world. There are issues unique to Trinidad and
Tobago that cannot be fully addressed by the traditional First World response, as local
research has indicated. This paper provides a comparative framework for understanding
ageing in the Caribbean region and its implications for sustainable development.
The researchers highlight the challenges and significant gains made with regard to policy
in Trinidad and Tobago, and possible areas that may foster a society for all ages.