Elderly population worldwide to surpass youth by 2030

By Ecem Sahinli Oguc

By 2030, the global population aged 65 and older is expected to outnumber the youth, with the elderly projected to double the number of children under five.

In 1990, the UN declared Oct. 1 as the "International Day of Older Persons" to address the challenges of an aging population and improve the conditions of the elderly.

Recent UN forecasts project the global population to reach approximately 8.5 billion by 2030, 9.7 billion by 2050, and 10.4 billion by 2100.

By 2030, the number of individuals aged 65 and older is expected to surpass that of the youth population, with the elderly projected to double the number of children under five.

The UN defines the youth population as those aged 15 to 24.

The global population aged 65 and older is projected to more than double, reaching 1.6 billion by 2050. If this forecast holds true, the elderly will comprise over 16% of the world's population.

In 1950, individuals aged 65 and older represented one in 20 people globally. By 2021, this ratio had changed to one in 10, and it is projected that by 2050, this age group will account for one in six people worldwide.

- Asia, Europe host most of world's oldest populations

According to the UN's 2023 World Social Report, Asia and Europe host most of the world's oldest populations.

Japan leads with 30% of its population aged 65 and older, followed by Italy at 23%.

Finland, Portugal, and Greece each have an elderly population rate of around 22%.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong and South Korea are expected to surpass Japan, with their elderly populations reaching up to 40%.

Southern Europe, which includes Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, and Spain—where the elderly population has reached 21%—is considered "the world's oldest region."

- Aging population increasing in developing countries

Population aging is progressing more rapidly in developing countries than in developed ones.

By 2050, the majority of the world's elderly population is expected to reside in developing countries.

Most developed nations have long implemented policies to address the societal needs of their aging populations. In contrast, many developing countries lack the infrastructure to meet the needs of their rapidly aging citizens.

As a result, there are calls for developing nations to take action to address the needs of their aging populations.

- Calls for review of policies addressing aging population

Each year, conferences and events are held around a specific theme to commemorate Oct. 1, "International Day of Older Persons."

This year, marking the 34th observance by the UN, the theme for 2024 has been set as "Dignified Aging: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Individuals Worldwide."

Aging populations require societies to adapt and create the necessary social and physical environments for this age group.

The aging population has significantly increased the demand for healthcare, and social services, particularly for the elderly with conditions like dementia.

This includes protecting the rights of elderly individuals in care, respecting their dignity, beliefs, needs, and privacy, and promoting such approaches.

The UN is calling for the development of strengthened policies for care and support systems for older individuals, as well as a review of existing legislation on this issue.