The information was stated at an international seminar on social welfare for the elderly and handicapped in Ho Chi Minh City on August 23.

Meanwhile, the Vietnam National Committee for the Elderly said the ratio may reach 30 percent by 2050.

Participants at the seminar agreed that the State and social and charitable organisations should pay more attention to this sector of the population by diversifying social activities and providing them with more social security benefits.

They also said that maintaining family traditions is an important factor in improving the lives of the elderly.

The General Statistics Office says that Vietnam will enter the “aging-population” stage after 2017.

(VOV)