Toward an Aging Well Index in Australia: Benchmarking Success and Identifying Gaps.

Abstract

Aging well has become a critical topic among scholars and policymakers in the context of global population aging. In Australia, the growing aging population underscores the need for a comprehensive index to measure successful aging. However, challenges such as data limitations, contextual constraints, and the lack of a unified social consensus have hindered efforts to establish nationwide measurements. Inspired by the European Union's Active Aging Index and employing a consistent theoretical framework and calculation method, this paper develops an Australian aging well index comprising 21 indicators across four domains. The constructed index offers valuable insights into Australia's strengths and weaknesses in supporting older adults, while also enabling comparative evaluations across nations. Australia demonstrates strong performance in the domains of Independent, Healthy and Secure Living, and Capacity and Enabling Environment; however, improvements are needed in Employment and Social Participation and Relationships. Targeted policy interventions are recommended to enhance employment opportunities and promote social engagement, thereby fostering a more comprehensive approach to aging well.