Aging and the Population

For the first time in history, the majority of people worldwide are expected to live beyond 60. Almost every country is witnessing an increase in both the elderly population and the proportion of older individuals within their demographics. Projections indicate that by 2080, the number of people aged 65 and older will surpass the number of children under 18. Moreover, population aging is occurring at a significantly faster pace than in the past. For instance, while France had 150 years to adjust to a rise from 10% to 20% of its population being over 60, China is expected to face the same transition in just over 20 years. As fertility rates decline, the global population is forecasted to decrease after peaking at 10.2 billion in the mid-2080s. This rapid demographic shift necessitates that governments not only strengthen health and long-term care systems but also implement policies for sustainable population management and invest in innovations tailored to an aging population.

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Many societies perceive population aging as a grave challenge and an economic burden, citing increased public expenditure, a shrinking labor force, and slower economic productivity as concerns. Socially, an aging population can lead to significant issues, including geriatric abuse, with estimates suggesting that 1 in 6 elders experienced some form of abuse in the past year, and rates are even higher in institutional settings. Additionally, aging can place burdens on households, such as rising out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, increased housing costs, and greater demands on caregivers in terms of time and emotional commitment.

However, some experts argue that this demographic shift could herald new opportunities—not only for individuals and their families but for society as a whole. Longer lives provide additional years for pursuing new hobbies, further education, and personal passions, while also allowing individuals to continue contributing to their families, communities, and society at large.

Works Used:

“Ageing.” World Health Organization (WHO), 28 February 2018, https://www.who.int/news-room/facts-in-pictures/detail/ageing. Accessed 7 October 2025.

“Ageing | United Nations.” the United Nations, https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/ageing. Accessed 7 October 2025.

Bodnár,, Katalin, and Carolin Nerlic. “the macroeconomic and fiscal impact of population ageing.” European Central Bank, 2022.