October 1 marked the observance of the International Day for Older Persons across Mongolia, as part of a global initiative to honor the contributions of senior citizens and raise awareness about the issues they face. The United Nations first proclaimed the day in 1990, and Mongolia has been commemorating it since 1992.

Under Mongolia’s Law on the Elderly, men aged 60 and above and women aged 55 and above are officially classified as senior citizens. According to last year’s national data, Mongolia had a population of approximately 3.5 million, of which 13.4 percent were aged 55 or older.

The National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia has projected that by 2050, one in every five Mongolians will fall into this age group, reflecting the country’s rapidly aging population. Across the country, discussions and events were held to highlight the pressing challenges that affect the lives of the elderly—particularly the need to increase pensions and social support, establish more care facilities, and improve healthcare services for senior citizens.

In Ulaanbaatar, as well as in several provinces, senior citizens and advocates continued to voice concerns over low pension rates. Just two weeks earlier, groups of retirees had organized public demonstrations demanding the government raise monthly pensions to 1.5 million MNT, criticizing the proposed six percent increase as inadequate to meet the rising cost of living.

In Arkhangai Province, a forum titled “Let’s listen to our seniors” was held, where elderly participants shared their experiences and made policy recommendations. The event provided a platform for open dialogue between seniors, local authorities, and social welfare specialists. Meanwhile, the National Center for the Elderly in Batsumber soum of Tuv Province continued to provide care for more than 200 senior residents, offering accommodation, medical services, and social programs. Centers like these remain vital for elderly citizens without family support.

As Mongolia faces the realities of an aging population, the events of October 1 served as a reminder of the growing need for long-term, inclusive policies to ensure the well-being, dignity, and active involvement of senior citizens in all aspects of society.