Poor Asian countries face an ageing crisis
Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and others are getting old before they get rich
In “Ragnarok Online” gamers use characters from Norse mythology to wreak havoc. Septuagenarians are not its target audience, but that does not deter Sunanta Phongcharoen. The 72-year-old Thai woman has reached the game’s highest level. This has eased the burdens of old age, she gushes on Manoottangwai, a social-media site for the elderly. By showcasing such stories, its founders claim to be helping prepare Thailand for a demographic crisis.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Old before their time”
From the October 14th 2023 edition
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