Only 40% of Vietnamese have seniority plans and work towards them- study

Only 40% of Vietnamese have seniority plans and work towards them: study

HCM CITY — Việt Nam will see an increase in its ageing population in the coming years, with people aged  六0 and above estimated accounting for  二 九. 八 million or  二 七. 二 per cent of the population by  二0 五0, according to HelpAge International.

Given this projection, British life insurer Prudential partnered with Kantar, the world’s leading data, insights and consulting company, to carry out the first-ever ‘Independent Seniority in Việt Nam’ study showing the realities, expectations and level of readiness and confidence among people.

People aged  三0- 四 五 living in HCM City and Hà Nội were polled in terms of physical health, mental health and finances.

The study found  八 五 per cent desiring to be entirely independent in their senior age. The rate was even higher among those most concerned about their finance ( 九 五 per cent).

Physical health was the top concern ( 五 九 per cent) followed by mental health and finance ( 三0 per cent and  一 一 per cent).

There was a gap between expectations and preparation levels for independent seniority, with only four in  一0 people having plans for old age and actively working towards them.

Women were seen to have better plans for senior age than men in a ratio of  七 五 per cent to  五 九 per cent.

For those without plans or actions for their seniority, family duties ( 五 一 per cent) and financial instability ( 四 四 per cent) were the key reasons for procrastination.

Vietnamese tend to start planning for seniority when they reach the age of  四0.

While the level of readiness for senior life across physical, mental and financial aspects was quite high at more than  七0 per cent, the level of confidence to be able to reach the expected goals was only about  四0 per cent.

Married people were more ready (over  七 四 per cent) and confident ( 四 四 per cent) about senior life than single ones.

Phương Tiến Minh, CEO of Prudential Vietnam, said, “The research results are quite interesting.

“As the economy and society in Việt Nam keep progressing with the shift in family structure and the influence of western culture, we can see a huge change in mindset about independent seniority mong Gen X and Y compared to previous generations.

“Although  八 五 per cent of Vietnamese would like to be entirely independent in their senior age, only  四0 per cent are planning and acting for it. This is a challenge for each of us to address to achieve the aspirational life.

“[The study] is the first step in Prudential Vietnam joining hands to proactively care about the hot social issue of ageing population. In the coming years we will continue to implement activities to help people prepare better and to increase their confidence level for independent seniority.”

In recent years the ageing population has become the focus of growing concern among policymakers, business leaders and the public. — VNS