Up to 63 per cent of Viet Nam's elderly people are living in disadvantaged situations, the Institute of Social and Medical Studies revealed at the launch of the national survey on elderly people this morning.

The result is part of the first-ever national survey in Viet Nam. The survey collected information on the socio-economic characteristics, health status and living conditions of 4,000 Vietnamese elderly aged 50 in 12 different cities and provinces nation-wide from April 2011 to April 2012.

Speaking at the launch, Dam Huu Dac, standing vice chairman of the Viet Nam Elderly Association, said that Viet Nam was experiencing a demographic transition towards an aging towards 2035.

"The survey will be a data base for further supportive policies for the elderly in Viet Nam," he said.

Results from the survey showed that apart from weak health conditions and restricted ability in accessing health care services, seven percent of elderly people were living in temporary houses and faced financial difficulties.

Doctor Giang Thanh Long of the Institute of Public Policy and Management and head of the research team, said that 30 per cent of elderly incomes came from employment.

However, most had unstable incomes as they suffered from ill health. Restriction in knowledge, proven by one third of elderly people over 80 unable to write or read, also made their lives worse, he said.

The survey was jointly implemented by Indochina Research and Consulting, the Institute of Social and Medical Studies and the Viet Nam Women Union.

Source: VNS