KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 14): Malaysia comes in fourth among 29 countries whose population are fearful of getting old, according to market research firm Ipsos Sdn Bhd (Ipsos).

In a statement issued yesterday, Ipsos revealed that based on their latest 'Ageing in Malaysia' study, Malaysia ranks fourth after Brazil, China and Russia.

According to the study, 62% of Malaysians worry about old age, as compared to the global average of 52%.

"In comparison, India’s population (45%), the United States (48%) and the United Kingdom (50%) are less anxious about getting old," the study said.

The study also revealed that 49% of Malaysians are not optimistic about ageing and are concerned about getting old.

“In India 73% and in Turkey 67% of the respondents are wildly optimistic as they age. Malaysians' concern in facing old age can be interpreted as a great opportunity for marketers," the study said.

However, the study found that 76% of Malaysia’s population felt that it is possible to prepare for old age and this belief stems from the fact that 85% of the locals expect to be in good health in old age.

The study also showed that Malaysians' lack of optimism about aging can be offset against technology, as 60% of Malaysians believe that technological development will ease their lives during old age.

"In contrast, about 50% of Europeans (44% in France and Belgium, 46% in Sweden, 48% in Hungary and the Czech Republic and 51% in the United Kingdom) believe that technology can drastically improve the lives of the elderly," according to the study.

In addition, the study also revealed that Malaysians consider 56 to be the start of old age.

"This is 10 years much earlier than the global perception on the onset of old age. The survey revealed that respondents in most countries are of the view that old age begins in the late 60s or early 70s in certain circumstances.

Respondents in the United Kingdom and the United States for example, consider 68 as the beginning of old age, it said.

The Global Advisor survey conducted between Aug 24 and Sept 7 last year, via Ipsos Online Panel system involved 20,788 individuals aged 16 to 64, in 29 countries including Malaysia.