Asia | Old before their time

Poor Asian countries face an ageing crisis

Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and others are getting old before they get rich

An elderly person, holding a walking stick, seated by a window in an Asian country, gazing thoughtfully outside. — Image: Nathalie Lees

Oct 12th 2023|Bangkok, Singapore and Tiruvannamalai

In “Ragnarok Online” gamers use characters from Norse mythology to wreak havoc. Septuagenarians are not its target audience, but that does not deter Sunanta Phongcharoen. The 72-year-old Thai woman has reached the game’s highest level. This has eased the burdens of old age, she gushes on Manoottangwai, a social-media site for the elderly. By showcasing such stories, its founders claim to be helping prepare Thailand for a demographic crisis.

This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Old before their time”