Ageing has now became an universal phenomenon, of increasing importance to developed and developing countries alike. This article discusses the factors which are responsible for the ageing process, and the various stages of the "demographic transition" are discussed also. The consequences for any society with a population that is gradually becoming older are considerable, and they are a particular importance for the health sector. The relatively longer life span of women and the changing role of women and their participation in society are also focused in this paper.
