Baby boomers in Singapore: using GIS to meet the challenges of their ageing and aged care

Yan Liu (PI)
Email: yan.liu@nie.edu.sg

The increased rate of post-War (1946-1964) natural population increase give us the baby boomer generation: 1.11 million of them in Singapore in 2000, which account for 33.9% of its total population. This is a very large ageing population, with the first of the generation reaching their retirement age of 65 in 2011. There is great interest in the lifestyle, migrations, demands and needs of baby boomers as it has significantly different characteristics to previous cohorts. Understanding the demographic profiles and spatial movement of baby boomers has many far-reaching policy implications for all aspects of our society – economic, social and environmental.

Using geographical information system (GIS) technology, this project will investigate and map the various demographic profiles of baby boomers in Singapore as well as their spatial diversity, concentration/isolation and migration over time. The impact of baby boomers on health and aged care services now and until the last cohort of boomers reach their retirement age in 2030 will be evaluated and analyzed. By associating the spatial diversity of baby boomers with the provision of health and aged care facilities in Singapore, GIS will be utilized to plan for the intensified demand on health resources to meet the needs necessary to maintain productive and independent living of baby boomers.

Source of Funding: AcRF

Project Duration: Nov 2006 – Oct 2007