With Bangladesh’s aging population rising rapidly, policymakers, development partners, and civil society leaders on Tuesday joined a high-level seminar in Dhaka to discuss the development of a sustainable long-term care (LTC) system for older people.

Hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and AYAT Education Foundation at a city hotel, the event marked the official launch of Bangladesh’s first Country Diagnostic Study (CDS) on Long-Term Care for Older People. The study outlines evidence-based recommendations to establish a gender-responsive, affordable, and people-centered care system.

According to the report, the share of the population aged 60 and above in Bangladesh is projected to rise from 13% in 2020 to over 30% by 2050, signaling an urgent need for a formalized care structure beyond traditional, informal family-based systems.

Social Welfare Secretary Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf said the study provides timely guidance for policymakers to build an integrated system that includes trained caregivers, sustainable financing, and equitable access to services.

Francesco Tornieri, ADB’s Principal Social Development Specialist (Social Inclusion), described the study as “a concrete policy pathway to build a people-centered long-term care system in Bangladesh.”

AYAT Education Foundation Chairperson Tahsin Aman called it a defining moment for the nation, saying, “Investing in long-term care is both a moral duty and an economic opportunity.”

Presenting the key findings, Nasheeba Selim, ADB Principal Social Development Officer (Gender), and Imran Chowdhury, ADB National Aged Care Consultant and COO of AYAT Education Foundation, emphasized the need for a National Long-Term Care Policy, workforce development, integrated health and social care systems, and innovative financing mechanisms.

A panel discussion on “Innovative Financing Mechanisms Towards a Sustainable Long-Term Care System”—moderated by AYAT CEO Nusrat Aman—explored strategies to leverage public financing, private investment, and community-based models.

UN Women Representative Gitanjali Singh stressed that care systems must reduce the unpaid caregiving burden on women while creating new employment opportunities for them.

CARE Bangladesh Deputy Country Director Emebet Menna and UNFPA Deputy Representative Masaki Watabe also underscored the importance of inclusivity, intergenerational solidarity, and life-course approaches in shaping the future of care systems.

The ADB-supported study calls for adopting a National Long-Term Care Policy and Strategy aligned with the National Policy on Older Persons and the National Women Development Policy.

As Bangladesh faces a fast-aging population, experts agreed that coordinated investments and policy action are crucial to ensure dignity, care, and security for older citizens.