Poles are among the fastest-aging nations in Europe. According to the country’s stats office GUS, by the end of 2022, the number of people over 60 years old rose to 9.8 (out of 38) million, accounting for 26% of the population, the agency wrote.
This ageing process is set to continue, with projections showing 10.3 million people over 60 by 2030 and 11.4 million by 2040.
Increasing the availability of free vaccinations for seniors could significantly improve their health, Professor Tomasz Targowski, the national consultant in geriatrics, was quoted as saying.
This approach would be more cost-effective for the healthcare budget in the long run, Targowski added.
However, "Poles still have a skeptical attitude towards vaccinations, but it is the elderly who are most inclined to get vaccinated," Targowski noted
While aging is a common trend across the European Union, Poland's population is getting old particularly rapidly. Eurostat data reveals that from 2013 to 2023, Poland ranked second only to Moldova in the increase of people over 65 years old.
Moreover, Polish seniors stand out by their poorer health.
A latest study shows that almost 70% of people aged 60-65 and 90% of those aged 80-90 suffer from multiple illnesses.
People over 75 years old have five or more chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and mental disorders, type 2 diabetes, and dementia, according to PAP.
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