With Bangladesh’s population aging faster than ever before, policymakers, development partners, and civil society leaders gathered in Dhaka on Tuesday to discuss how the country can prepare for a future where one in three citizens will be over 60 by mid-century.
The high-level seminar, hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and AYAT Education Foundation at the Lakeshore Grand Hotel, marked the launch of Bangladesh’s first Country Diagnostic Study (CDS) on Long-Term Care for Older People. The study outlines a roadmap to develop a gender-responsive, affordable, and people-centered long-term care (LTC) system—a pressing need as traditional family-based caregiving models begin to falter.
Bangladesh’s elderly population is projected to rise from 13% in 2020 to over 30% by 2050, posing significant social and economic challenges. The CDS emphasizes a coordinated, multi-sectoral strategy linking health, welfare, and gender policies to create a formal care ecosystem.
Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare, said the study provides “timely guidance for policymakers.”
“We already have important policies in place, but income support alone isn’t enough,” he said. “It’s time to build an integrated care system—one that includes trained caregivers, sustainable financing, and equitable access to services.”
He added that the government is committed to expanding elderly care programs, including old-age allowances and day-care centers, and stressed the need to connect these initiatives under a unified financing framework.
ADB’s Principal Social Development Specialist (Social Inclusion), Mr. Francesco Tornieri, said the study “provides a concrete policy pathway to build a people-centered long-term care system in Bangladesh.”
Echoing that sentiment, Mr. Tahsin Aman, Chairperson of AYAT Education Foundation, called it “a defining moment” for the country.
“We must grow not only in numbers or economy, but in compassion and care,” he said. “Investing in long-term care is both a moral duty and an economic opportunity.”
Presenting key recommendations, Ms. Nasheeba Selim, ADB Principal Social Development Officer (Gender), and Mr. Imran Chowdhury, ADB National Aged Care Consultant and COO of AYAT Education Foundation, urged the adoption of a National Long-Term Care Policy and Strategy. They highlighted priorities such as workforce training, integrated health and social care, and innovative financing models to ensure sustainability.
A panel discussion on “Innovative Financing Mechanisms Towards a Sustainable Long-Term Care System in Bangladesh,” moderated by Ms. Nusrat Aman, CEO of AYAT Education Foundation, explored options like contributory insurance schemes, public–private partnerships, and community-based models.
“Financing remains one of the greatest barriers to building a robust LTC system,” said Ms. Aman. “The time is now to innovate and align funding with the scale of the challenge.”
UN Women’s Bangladesh Representative, Ms. Gitanjali Singh, underscored the gender dimension of care financing, urging systems that both reduce women’s unpaid care burden and create new employment opportunities for them.
Ms. Emebet Menna, Deputy Country Director of CARE Bangladesh, emphasized inclusion, noting that care solutions must reach “the most vulnerable—including those in poverty and climate-affected regions.”
Mr. Masaki Watabe, Deputy Representative of UNFPA, called for intergenerational solidarity, saying, “Long-term care is not only about older persons—it’s about creating systems that support people throughout their lives.”
As Bangladesh faces a pivotal demographic transition, the event’s message was clear: the time to act is now. With the right investments, coordination, and compassion, the country can build a care system that safeguards its elders, empowers women, and strengthens social resilience.
Founded in 1966, ADB works with 69 member countries to promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific.