A United Nations report has found that governments around the world urgently need a strategy to cope with an ageing population. The report, released on Monday’s International Day Of The Older Persons, says that nearly 13 percent of the global population is elderly (older than 60). And that figure is rising.

One quarter of Japan’s population is already over 65. The government expects that to rise to 40 percent within 25 years. One third of babies born in the UK this year are expected to celebrate their 100th birthday.

In the coming decade it is expected that the elderly population will swell by 200 million to take the figure beyond one billion people globally, placing an even greater strain on welfare and medical systems.

'People everywhere must age with dignity and security, enjoying life through the full realisation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms,' said Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA executive director.

Richard Blewitt, the chief executive officer of HelpAge International said 'We must commit to ending the widespread mismanagement of ageing.

'Global and national action plans are needed to create a pathway (so) people over 60 ... become growth drivers and value creators.'