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Record suicides of elderly people in ageing Singapore
SINGAPORE, July 30, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The number of elderly people
committing suicide in Singapore reached a record high last year, a non-
government group said Monday, urging stronger support for the over 60s in the
rapidly ageing city-state.
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), which focuses on preventing suicides, said
fear of becoming a burden to family, social disconnection, physical
impairment and deteriorating mental health are the most common challenges
faced by the elderly.
With persistently low birth rates and longer lifespans, affluent Singapore
is grappling with a rapidly ageing population which has been described as a
ticking “demographic time bomb”.
SOS said in a statement posted on its website that the number of people
aged 60 and above who took their own lives in 2017 rose to 129, which was the
highest on record and accounted for nearly 36 percent of that year’s total
suicides.
“It is very worrying that many elderly are turning to suicide as the only
choice to end their pain and struggles,” said SOS executive director
Christine Wong.
“The ageing population in Singapore is set to bring more challenges to
current available social support services. There is imminent need for
stronger support networks as the number of elderly Singapore residents living
alone continues to increase.”
SOS said the rise in cases of elderly people taking their own lives came as
the number of overall reported suicides in the country declined in 2017 to
its lowest level since 2012.
Official projections show the number of Singapore citizens aged 65 and
above will double from 500,000 in 2016 to 900,000 in 2030.
Other developed nations also face challenges due to ageing populations.
Japan said last month it plans to bring in more foreign workers to tackle a
serious labour shortage caused by the country’s ageing, shrinking population.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1723 hrs