A/HRC/17/34/Add.1 reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. These measures are highly welcomed by the independent expert as, from a human rights perspective, poverty is not limited to economic deprivation but also involves significant social, cultural and political deprivation. D. Older persons 46. Despite the progress made in reducing poverty in Viet Nam, many groups of older people, in particular in rural and isolated areas, are still living in poverty. Moreover, as a result of declines in mortality and fertility, and increases in life expectancy, older people are becoming a significantly larger part of the population in Viet Nam. The population aged 60 and above grew from 3.71 million in 1979 to 8.08 million in 2007, and by 2010 was expected to represent about 10 per cent of the population.49 This dramatic demographic change is coupled with the fact that only a small percentage are receiving public pensions and the number of older people living alone, in households with only older persons, or in “skip-generation” households has increased. Older women are particularly vulnerable, making up around 80 per cent of elderly people living alone in Viet Nam.50 47. As a consequence of the reduction in family support and the lack of coverage of public pensions, the situation of older persons must be one of the Government’s priorities. The independent expert welcomes the Government efforts to expand the coverage of social insurance schemes through voluntary pensions to ensure that today’s young generation will be protected in the future. In this regard, it calls on the Government to strengthen the outreach and administration of voluntary pensions and to consider incentives to join the scheme. 48. Considering that only a small fraction of the population at retirement age is covered by formal insurance schemes, significant efforts are also required to expand social assistance programmes targeting older persons. The independent expert welcomes the establishment of a non-contributory social pension scheme in Viet Nam as a critical element for bridging the protection gap and ensuring the progressive realization of the rights to social security and an adequate standard of living. As evidence shows, noncontributory pensions can significantly reduce poverty and vulnerability among older people. Recognizing that a universal categorical scheme is more in compliance with human rights principles and taking into account the significant improvements made in 2007, the independent expert considers that some elements of the existing scheme should be revised in order to ensure that older persons are not left to live in poverty. Most in need of attention is the eligibility age, which is 85 and over, and the low level of benefits per month. The independent expert calls on the State to revise both elements of the scheme to ensure the most widespread support possible within the maximum available resources. 49. The independent expert recognizes the recent entry into force of the Law on the Elderly, which provides an important platform to enhance the protection of the rights of older Vietnamese. Further investments in the provision of free health care to older people living in poverty are important in this context. 49 50 United Nations Population Fund, “Population & Development in Viet Nam: Towards a new Population/Reproductive Health Strategy”, 2011-2020 Brief 4, p. 1. Ibid. 13