IRELAND has been officially recognised as one of the best places in the world to grow old, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The recognition has been put down to Ireland's growing over-65s population, as well as the overall healthy lifestyle of the Irish people.

Irelands overall population has been getting increasingly older and older since the 1980s, with the over-65 age demographic group increasing by a high of 19% between the years of 2011 and 2016.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) even predicts in just 30 years, the number of people in the country aged 65 and over will have increased from 629,800 - the figure recorded in 2016 - to around 1.6 million.

Added to this, it's expected that over 250,000 people in Ireland will be aged over 80 by the year 2031.

Due to these expected increases, the Age-Friendly Ireland Programme was set up and has been in operation for over a decade.

Its aim is to have every local authority area in Ireland focus on creating an elderly-friendly environment as best they can, making it easier to grow old in.

Some of the work being done to ensure this includes the building of housing developments, libraries, airport guidelines, bus-route guidelines and car-parking facilities.

The Age-Friendly Ireland Programme also looks to keep people as active as possible, not just physically, but in their local community as well.

What this will ensure is that older people stay healthy and active for longer, and will provide support to those who are no longer in afeasible position to look after themselves.

Add to this Ireland's wide array of sleepy countryside towns and villages making for idyllic retirement spots, it's no wonder we're considered one of the best places in the world to grow old.

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Ireland officially one of the best places in the world to grow old - Irish Post