Methodology

Overview

The Aging Policy Index is a comprehensive assessment tool that measures how well countries are positioned to address the challenges and opportunities of aging populations. The index evaluates policies across 189 World Bank member countries using 65 binary indicators organized into three pillars.

Three Pillars

Healthy Aging (28 Indicators)

Measures policies and programs that enable older adults to maintain good health and functional ability throughout their later years.

Sub-dimensions:

  • Preventative Care (Nutrition, Alcohol, Tobacco, Exercise, Health, Air pollution)
  • Health Care Services (Access, Assistive Technology, NCDs, Long-term care)

Productive Aging (22 Indicators)

Assesses policies that enable older adults to continue contributing to their families, communities, and economies through employment and social participation.

Sub-dimensions:

  • General Policy
  • Incentives and Taxation
  • Flexibility
  • Discrimination Prevention
  • Lifelong Learning

Protected Aging (16 Indicators)

Evaluates policies that provide financial security, protection against abuse, and age-friendly living environments for older adults.

Sub-dimensions:

  • Pension Systems
  • Financial Literacy
  • Elder Rights Protection
  • Age-friendly Environment

Scoring Method: Equal-Importance Counting

The Aging Policy Index uses an equal-importance counting method to ensure that all policies are weighted equally in the assessment.

Binary Indicators

Each of the 65 indicators is scored as a binary variable: 1 if the policy is present and implemented, 0 if it is absent or not effectively implemented.

Pillar Scores

Each pillar score is calculated as the average of all binary indicators within that pillar:

Pillar Score = (Sum of indicator values) / (Number of indicators)

Overall Score

The overall Aging Policy Index score is calculated as the average of the three pillar scores:

Overall Score = (Healthy + Productive + Protected) / 3

Key Features

  • •Comprehensive Coverage: Covers all 189 World Bank member countries
  • •Binary Assessment: Clear yes/no evaluation of policy presence
  • •Equal Weighting: All policies treated with equal importance
  • •Evidence-Based: Each assessment grounded in primary and secondary sources
  • •Transparent Methodology: Clear guidance for each indicator

Data Sources

The Aging Policy Index draws on a diverse set of primary and secondary sources:

  • • Official government legislation and policy documents
  • • International organization reports (UN, WHO, ILO)
  • • Academic research and peer-reviewed publications
  • • World Bank country assessments and reports
  • • NGO and civil society organization findings