Those over 65 years of age will comprise 14 percent of world population, according to a study by the U.S. Census Bureau, published on July 2009. By statistical projection and extrapolation, the number of people of the age group in the world will double by 2040, from 506 million in 2008 to 1.3 billion people.
In the next ten years, and for the first time in the history of mankind, ‘those aged 65 and over will outnumber children under 5 years,’ the study says. Additionally, ‘the population of Southern countries is aging very quickly.’
According to the authors of the study, the unprecedented aging of world population is the logical consequence of a general decline in fertility combined with progress in the field of health.
While developed countries, Europe and the United States in particular, are already facing sharp aging population, the trend is now spreading to developing countries in Latin America and Asia.
In 2008, China had the largest number of elderly. But, in proportion to population, it is Japan that has the biggest senior population in the world. 22 percent of Japanese are over the age of 65. In terms of continents, Europe remains the region that is ‘oldest’ in the world, while sub-Saharan Africa is the ‘youngest.’
Via Bloomberg/US Census Bureau
