According to data from a new report by the U.S. Census Bureau, a demographic shift has occurred globally for the first time, where the number of people aged 65 and older has exceeded the number of children under six.
In 2025, approximately 852 million people worldwide were aged 65 or older, accounting for 10.5% of the total world population. Experts predict that this group could reach nearly two billion by 2060, and their share of the global population will increase to 19.6%.
The main factors contributing to population aging are cited as declining birth rates and increasing life expectancy. In 2023, over seventy-one percent of the world's population lived in countries where the birth rate was at replacement level or below.
The aging process is not only observed in developed countries. The largest population states, such as China and India, have already faced birth rates below the simple replacement threshold.
Projections for the growth of the elderly population in different regions
The most significant increase in the number of elderly people is expected in Asia. The population in this region in the age group over 65 could grow from 487 million in 2025 to 1.24 billion by 2060. Africa is expected to see a fourfold increase in people over 65—from 60 million to 249 million. For comparison, Europe is projected to have about 214 million elderly citizens by 2060.
Concurrently, the proportion of young children will decrease. According to Axios estimates, by 2060, people over 65 will constitute almost 20% of the world's population, while the share of children under six will drop to approximately 7%.
This change in age structure will lead to additional strain on long-term care, pension, and healthcare systems. Nevertheless, increased life expectancy can become a source of economic potential, as older people can participate longer in labor, engage in volunteering, and assist family members.