The State Welfare Organization of Iran (SWO) officially launched the “Age-Friendly Environment” initiative in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a ceremony held at the SWO headquarters., and other national stakeholders, officially.
The milestone event follows a decade of concerted efforts by the SWO and the Secretariat of the National Council of the Elderly (SNCE) to promote age-friendly environments in Iran. The ceremony unveiled the operational rollout of age-friendly initiatives in nine provinces, as well as the continued expansion of the existing pilot in Isfahan.
Opening the ceremony, Ms. Mozhgan Rezazadeh, Head of the Secretariat of the National Council of the Elderly, highlighted the importance of sustained cooperation among various ministries and stakeholders. She noted that the concept of “Age-Friendly Cities,” an international model adapted to Iran’s cultural and social context, had already shown promising results in Isfahan, paving the way for its implementation across other provinces.
Changing Demographics and the Feminization of Ageing
Speaking on behalf of UNFPA, Ms. Ayna Seyitliyeva, the UNFPA Officer in Charge in Iran, underscored the profound demographic shifts taking place globally and in Iran:
“The world is currently undergoing a significant demographic shift, driven by rising life expectancy and declining fertility rates. As people live longer lives, the number of older persons is increasing rapidly, and their share within the global population is increasing. At the same time, we are also facing the feminization of Older Persons all around the world. According to United Nations projections, the percentage of the global population aged 65 and older is expected to rise from 10% in 2022 to 16% by 2050. This population ageing phenomenon is not merely a statistical change; it represents a fundamental transformation that will impact all aspects in a society.”
Ms. Seyitliyeva pointed out that in Iran, as in many other countries, older people constitute a growing proportion of the population:
“In Iran, according to the Statistical Center of Iran, over 10% of the population is already aged 60 and above, and this proportion is expected to more than double in the next 20 years. This shift necessitates comprehensive and immediate action across all sectors of society to ensure that older persons are not marginalized, but rather fully supported and integrated for the benefit of the entire population.”
Emphasizing the UN’s Decade of Healthy Ageing—a global collaboration led by the United Nations—Ms. Seyitliyeva highlighted the opportunity for countries to work together to address the needs of older persons:
“The Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) is an opportunity to bring together governments, civil society, intethe number of older persons national agencies, professionals, academia, the media, and the private sector for ten years of concerted, catalytic and collaborative action to improve the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live.”
National Efforts and the Role of the ‘Silver Generation’
Dr. Seyed Javad Hosseini, Head of the State Welfare Organization, underscored the government’s commitment to supporting older persons and leveraging their experience for national development:
“Older adults can be a driving force for development—what we term the ‘silver generation.’ Through their extensive knowledge, experience, and skills, they can create new employment opportunities and provide valuable oversight in various sectors. Iran’s population is rapidly ageing, with 12 percent already over 60, and these trends are expected to accelerate, placing us among the fastest-ageing countries in the world.”
He added that programs addressing the eight components of an age-friendly city—including health and social services, transportation, housing, social participation, and respect and inclusion—are in progress. Dr. Hosseini also highlighted the importance of promoting mental well-being, creativity, and engagement among older people:
“We are collaborating with innovative and knowledge-based companies to develop ‘joy-creating’ products and services, ensuring that our older population remains active and integrated in all aspects of community life.”
By scaling up the age-friendly model from Isfahan to nine additional provinces, Iran is taking a significant step toward creating inclusive communities that meet the needs of its growing older population. UNFPA will continue to support national efforts to ensure older persons are recognized as valuable contributors—individuals who can help shape an inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future for all Iranians.
