The aging of the Vietnamese population is taking place swiftly despite the country’s moderate income status, according to the first national survey on the Vietnamese elderly, which was released in Hanoi on May 4.

The survey indicates a clear increase in the female proportion among the elderly and the tendency of old people living separately from their children.

Quality of life among the elderly is another problem. Up to seven percent of them live in temporary housing and more than half of them in rural areas have to work to support themselves with unsteady incomes.

Over 50 percent of the respondents said they have poor or very poor health, and nearly half of them cannot afford medical services.

This survey is expected to provide the foundation for devising appropriate policies to deal with the aging process and improve the lives of elderly people./.