Behind the issue - population ageing - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

UN Chronicle, March-May, 2002

The Second World Assembly, to be held in Madrid from 8 to 12 April 2002, is dedicated to the overall review of the outcome of the first World Assembly on Ageing, as well as the adoption of the proposed international strategy for action on ageing. The new strategy seeks to address the socio-cultural, economic and demographic realities of the twenty-first century, with particular attention to the needs and perspectives of developing countries.

Population ageing is unprecedented, without parallel in the history of humanity. Increases in the proportions of older persons (60 years or older) are being accompanied by declines in the proportions of the young (under age 15). By 2050, the number of older persons in the world will exceed the number of the young for the first time in history. Moreover, by 1998 this historic reversal in relative proportions of young and old had already taken place in the more developed regions.

Population ageing is profound, having major consequences and implications on all facets of human life. In the economic area, population ageing will have an impact on economic consumption, labour markets, pensions, taxation and intergenerational transfers. In the social sphere, population ageing affects health and health care, family composition and living arrangements, housing and migration. In the political arena, it can influence voting patterns and representation.

Population ageing is pervasive, a global phenomenon affecting every man, woman and child. The steady increase of older age groups in national populations, both in absolute numbers and in relation to the working-age population, has a direct bearing on the intergenerational and intragenerational equity and solidarity that are the foundations of society.

Population ageing is enduring. During the twentieth century the proportion of older persons continued to rise, and this trend is expected to person into the twenty-first century. For example, the proportion of older persons was 8 per cent in 1950 and 10 per cent in 2000, and is projected in reach 21 per cent in 2050.

Proportion of world population 60 years or older, 1950-2050

Year  Percentage

1950       8
2000      10
2050      21

Note: Table made from bar graph
Proportion of women among persons aged  40 , 60 , 80  and 100 , in 2000

Age groups  Percentage

40              50
60              55
80              65
100             83

Note: Table made from bar graph