Promoting Healthy Aging with Age-Friendly Cities

As global populations age, the need to design cities that support older adults has become more urgent than ever. From limited mobility to social isolation, many of them face daily barriers that prevent them from living fully and independently. Recognizing this, the World Health Organization developed the Age-Friendly Cities framework to help governments create more inclusive, safe, and supportive urban environments.

The Urgency of Aging Populations

Global populations are aging rapidly. While aging was once seen as an issue mainly for high-income countries like Japan, where 30% of the population is already over 60, it is now a global concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that by 2030, 1 in 6 people worldwide will be aged 60 or older, rising from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion. This shift is happening the fastest in low- and middle-income countries, where by 2050, two-thirds of the world’s older population will live.

Yet, many urban environments remain unprepared to support healthy aging. The physical, social, and mental wellbeing of older adults is closely shaped by the environments in which they live, but most cities lack age-friendly infrastructure, safe public spaces, and accessible services. For instance, research shows that poor sidewalk conditions, limited public transportation, and inaccessible facilities significantly reduce older adults’ mobility and independence, especially among those with lower incomes or disabilities.

Social isolation is another growing concern. A study involving over 27,000 women aged 71 to 104 found that the rate of severe loneliness nearly doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing from 10% before the pandemic to 19% during it. Furthermore, loneliness among older adults is now recognized as a serious public health issue, linked to higher risks of depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, chronic illness, and even early death.

Understanding WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities

The WHO launched the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) in 2010 to promote environments that support active and healthy aging. This initiative encourages cities worldwide to adapt their infrastructure, services, and policies to be more inclusive of older adults’ needs.

It identifies eight key domains of age-friendliness: transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation, communication, community support, and outdoor spaces. These domains guide cities in creating accessible, safe, and supportive urban environments that enable older adults to live independently and participate fully in community life.

As of 2025, the GNAFCC adaptation spans 1,705 cities and communities across 60 countries, representing more than 330 million people worldwide. Canada, for example, has been a global leader in adopting the WHO Age-Friendly Cities framework, with over 560 communities committed to becoming age-friendly as of 2011. Cities like Ottawa have implemented comprehensive Older Adult Plans developed through extensive consultations with seniors, resulting in actionable strategies across the eight key domains. These initiatives have improved accessibility, increased social participation, and enhanced the overall quality of life for older adults there.

Building Healthier and More Inclusive Cities for All Ages

Understanding and improving the lives of older people has become a crucial aspect in upholding the rights of all citizens, especially with the rising age of the global population. Increasing retirement ages is one response to the demographic shift, requiring cities to support older workers through accessible transport, universal healthcare, and age-friendly workplaces. Age-friendly cities thus play an essential role not only in enhancing quality of life for retirees but also in enabling extended workforce participation. By creating safer walkways, more reliable public transportation, and inclusive public spaces, cities can support not only older adults but the entire communities for a lifelong fulfilling life.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

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