Statistics of the Aging Population of the World

Understanding the Global Aging Trend

The aging population is growing rapidly worldwide, presenting significant demographic changes and challenges. Here are key statistics highlighting this trend:

Current and Projected Figures

• As of 2021, there were 771 million people aged 65 and older, accounting for nearly 10% of the global population. This figure is expected to increase to:
  • 16% by 2050
  • 24% by 2100 (Visual Capitalist).
• By 2030:
  • 1 in 6 people globally will be aged 60 years or over.
  • The number of people aged 60 and over will increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion by 2030 and further to 2.1 billion by 2050 (World Health Organization (WHO)).

Geographical Distribution

• Aging is currently most pronounced in:
  • Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Eastern and Southeastern Asia, where the proportion of older persons exceeds 10% and, in some cases, surpasses 20% (Visual Capitalist).
• By 2050, 80% of older people will reside in low- and middle-income countries, indicating a demographic shift from high-income to lower-income regions (World Health Organization (WHO)).

Impact on Population Structure

• In 2020, for the first time, the number of people aged 60 years and older outnumbered children younger than 5 years. This milestone reflects the broader demographic transition toward an aging global population (World Health Organization (WHO)).
• By 2050, the global population of people aged 80 years or older is expected to triple, reaching 426 million (World Health Organization (WHO)).

Implications and Challenges

The rapid aging of the global population poses significant challenges, including:

• Economic Impact: Increased demand for pensions, healthcare, and social support.
• Healthcare Needs: Greater prevalence of age-related conditions requiring advanced medical care.
• Social Adjustments: Need for policies that support the well-being and integration of older individuals into society.

Proactive planning and international cooperation will be crucial to address these challenges and ensure sustainable solutions for the aging population.

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