Abstract

The scientific literature on ageing in Africa remains sparse, as in most developing countries. But what are the explanatory factors for this lack of interest? This mini review research comes from my doctoral thesis [1]. It provides some explanation on the lack of interest on this phenomenon and brings main elements of knowledge on a subject that will pose, in the short term, a major preoccupation to policy makers and partners of social development. African countries are still young from a demographic point of view. But this youth bulge must not conceal the problems of ageing populations and individuals that are looming on the horizon. The number of elderly people is increasing in African countries according to demographers. As this review of the literature reveals, currently the problems of ageing arise in a context of disintegration of the social fabric, dismantling of the traditional networks of solidarity and poverty that affects much of the elderly people. The diversity of social change calls for overcoming the dominant social representations associated with older people in African societies.

Keywords: Ageing; Older people; Social change; Social policy; Sub-Saharan Africa