Brazil Must Embrace Aging, Not Deny It, Expert Urges
Jorge Félix, a gerontology professor and social scientist, argues that Brazil must confront the reality of its aging population, moving beyond a narrow fiscal view of pensions. His new book, "The (Difficult) Decision to Age," serves as a wake-up call for policymakers to ensure dignified longevity for all citizens. Félix emphasizes that population aging is not just a cost but also an economic opportunity, driving a "longevity economy" that can foster new industries and consumption patterns, especially in countries with fewer children and more elderly individuals.
He criticizes the current interdisciplinary neglect of the issue in Brazil, stating that addressing aging requires a holistic approach encompassing health, lifelong education, urban and housing adaptation, employment conditions, and food security. Félix also critiques the Bolsonaro government's pandemic health policies, particularly the approach favored by former Economy Minister Paulo Guedes, arguing that economic policy should prioritize human well-being and life itself. He stresses that societal denial of aging is detrimental to the rights of older adults, leading to superficial engagement with the topic rather than a collective understanding of its profound implications.
The expert highlights a critical societal blind spot: the underestimation of demographic shifts and their systemic implications, akin to the challenges posed by climate change. By framing aging as a "difficult decision" rather than an inevitable demographic reality, the analysis points to a societal tendency to avoid confronting complex, long-term challenges. This perspective suggests that a failure to proactively integrate aging into public policy and economic strategy, beyond mere fiscal considerations, risks creating future social and economic instability. The commentary implicitly questions whether current governance structures are equipped to manage dual transformations—demographic and environmental—and encourages a shift towards proactive, long-term planning that views longevity as a societal asset rather than a burden.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.