Number of people over 60 years set to double by 2050: WHO

The number of people over the age of 60 is expected to double across the globe by 2050, a report released by the WHO said on Thursday.

According to the WHO, the number of people in India who are 60 years and older is 116,553,000 in 2015 and it will be 330,043,000 by 2050.

The life expectancy for a baby born today in India is 66 years, but a person who is currently 60 can expect to live 77 years, on average, the report said.

"Today, most people, even in the poorest countries, are living longer lives. But this is not enough. We need to ensure these extra years are healthy, meaningful and dignified. Achieving this will not just be good for older people, it will be good for society as a whole," said WHO director general Margaret Chan.

The report said there was very little evidence that the added years of life were being experienced in better health than was the case for previous generations at the same age.

"Unfortunately 70 does not yet appear to be the new 60. But it could be and it should be," said John Beard, director of the department of ageing and life course at WHO.

The report stressed that governments must ensure policies that enable older people to continue participating in society.