'Gerontogrowth' and population ageing in Africa and the Global AgeWatch Index

Population ageing is one of the main gains of human development, enjoyed by an increasingly large number of people throughout the world. In sub-Saharan Africa ('Africa') most low income countries are among the worst countries for elderly people to live in, as shown by the Global AgeWatch Index 2015. According to HelpAge International, the author of this new Index, the worst preforming countries lack a comprehensive approach in the political framework to respond to the challenges posed by the ageing of their populations. While this conclusion is not completely wrong, it needs careful attention because of questions such as those raised in this article: what does it mean to have a comprehensive approach to population ageing in countries where the increase in the number of elderly people, here referred to as gerontogrowth, is neutralised by the rejuvenation of the population in general? Why would people be concerned to anticipate a problem they are not yet living through or feeling? Without questioning the potential of the Global AgeWatch Index, this article argues that its explanatory scope could be substantially improved, but for this an analytical and methodological framework really more comprehensive is needed. A framework that articulates better the concept of capacities with crucial structuring concepts of population dynamics, notably putting into context the various stages of the world demographic transition, in which the world's elderly population is involved.