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The government is working to ensure financial security, healthcare and a dignified life for senior citizens, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said.
He said the government had taken initiatives to expand old-age allowances, provide financial assistance through the Family Card, widen access to primary healthcare and strengthen the social safety net.
The Prime Minister made the remarks in a message issued on Wednesday on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons 2026, which will be observed tomorrow, October 1.
This year’s theme is “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives”.
Tarique said people’s average life expectancy was increasing in many countries due to greater health awareness, advances in medical science and other developments. Longer lives were creating new opportunities, while also highlighting the need to make healthcare, social protection and family support systems more responsive to the needs of an ageing population.
He said the government was conscious and vigilant about protecting the interests of older persons. As part of its goal of building a welfare-oriented and humane state, the government had adopted a range of programmes to ensure social security, financial protection, healthcare and dignified lives for senior citizens.
He said initiatives had been taken to create opportunities for safe and dignified living in old age, expand old-age allowances and make the social protection system more effective and inclusive, alongside providing necessary support at every stage of life.
The Prime Minister said the government was implementing various measures to strengthen social protection for poor and vulnerable groups in line with its election manifesto commitment to build a welfare-oriented state. It was also working to maintain the health of older persons, keep them actively engaged in social activities and bring them under the social protection framework.
On the financial security of older persons, Tarique said the amount of old-age allowance had been increased while the number of beneficiaries had also been expanded. At the same time, work was progressing to provide financial assistance through the Family Card, expand primary healthcare and strengthen the social safety net, in line with one of the government’s key election pledges.
According to government budget documents, the monthly old-age allowance has been proposed to be increased by Tk50 to Tk700, while the number of beneficiaries would rise by one lakh to 62 lakh in the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Describing older persons as a foundation of the family and society, the Prime Minister said today’s Bangladesh had been built on their sacrifices, experience and wisdom. A caring attitude towards older people was therefore essential to building a welfare-oriented, just and humane Bangladesh, he said.
He stressed the need to maintain respect, compassion and responsibility towards older persons at all three levels: family, society and state. Initiatives were being taken to further strengthen a life-cycle-based social protection system to ensure their access to healthcare, social security, financial stability and opportunities for active participation in society, he said.
Tarique said the government would take all possible measures to protect the interests of senior citizens. However, he expressed the belief that the more the long-standing religious, social and family values of the country and society were preserved, the more the care, respect and dignity of older persons would be protected.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining older persons’ engagement with their families and communities and creating opportunities to utilise their experience and knowledge as part of building a humane and inclusive society.
Extending his sincere respect and greetings to all senior citizens on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons, the Prime Minister said his government’s goal was to establish a welfare-oriented state where every person, young or old, could realise their full potential and lead a dignified and fulfilling life.
He wished the 36th International Day of Older Persons 2026 every success.