CEDAW/C/GC/27 economic, social and cultural rights of older persons (1995), and general comment No. 19 on the right to social security (2008). Background 4. Current United Nations figures estimate that within 36 years there will be more people over the age of 60 than children under 15 years, globally. It is estimated that by 2050, the number of older people will be over 2 billion, or 22 per cent of the global population, an unprecedented doubling of the present 11 per cent of the population that is over 60. 5. The gendered nature of ageing reveals that women tend to live longer than men, and that more older women than men live alone. While there are 83 men for every 100 women over the age of 60, there are only 59 men for every 100 women over the age of 80. Further, statistics from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs indicate that 80 per cent of men over 60 are married compared with only 48 per cent of older women.6 6. This unprecedented demographic ageing, due to improved living standards and basic health-care systems as well as declines in fertility and rising longevity, can be considered a successful outcome of development efforts and one that is set to continue, making the twenty-first century, the century of ageing. However, such demographic changes have profound human rights implications and increase the urgency of addressing the discrimination experienced by older women in a more comprehensive and systematic manner through the Convention. 7. The issue of ageing is shared by both developed and developing countries. The proportion of older persons in less developed countries is expected to increase from 8 per cent in 2010 to 20 per cent by 2050,7 while the proportion of children will decrease from 29 to 20 per cent.8 The number of older women living in less developed regions will increase by 600 million within the period 2010 to 2050.9 This demographic shift presents major challenges for developing countries. The ageing of society is a well-established trend and a significant feature in most developed countries. 8. Older women are not a homogeneous group. They have a great diversity of experience, knowledge, ability and skills, however, their economic and social situation is dependent on a range of demographic, political, environmental, cultural, social, individual and family factors. The contribution of older women in public and private life as leaders in their communities, entrepreneurs, caregivers, advisers, mediators, among other roles, is invaluable. Purpose and objective 9. This general recommendation on older women and promotion of their rights explores the relationship between the articles of the Convention and ageing. It identifies the multiple forms of discrimination that women face as they age, outlines the content of the obligations to be assumed by States parties with regard to ageing with dignity and older 6 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Ageing and Development 2009 Chart, available at http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/ageing/ageing2009.htm. 7 Ibid. 8 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, World Population Prospects: The 2008 Revision Population Database, http://esa.un.org/unpp/index.asp?panel=1. 9 Ibid. 2