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The number of elderly people who committed suicide in Singapore reached a record last year, a non-governmental group said Monday calling for stronger support for the over 60s in this aging city-state
The fear of becoming a burden to the family, social disconnect, physical disability and deterioration of mental health are the most common challenges facing older adults.
With consistently low birth rates and longer life expectancy is facing a rapidly aging population that has been described as a "demographic time bomb".
SOS said in a statement posted on its website that the number of people aged 60 and over who took their lives in 2017 increased to 129, which was the highest ever recorded and accounted for nearly 36% of this year's total suicides.
"It is very worrisome that many seniors are turning to suicide as the only choice," said Christine Wong, SOS Executive Director
. "The aging of the population in Singapore is expected to pose more challenges to Social support services available There is an imminent need for stronger support networks as the number of elderly people living alone in Singapore continues to increase. "
SOS said the increase in The number of suicides in the country fell in 2017, its lowest level since 2012.
Official projections show that the number of Singaporean citizens aged 65 and over will double from 500,000 in 2016 to 900,000 in 2030. [19659002] Other developed countries are also facing aging problems. Japan said last month that it planned to hire more foreign workers to deal with a severe shortage of labor caused by the country's aging population.
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