Global aging trends pose challenges for healthcare and pension systems

Global demographic trends indicate a rapid aging of the population. According to the ‘World Ageing 2025’ report, the proportion of people over 65 is expected to nearly double by 2060. A significant milestone occurred between 2020 and 2025, when the percentage of people aged 65 and older surpassed the percentage of children aged 0–5 for the first time. In the United States, the proportion of those over 65 is projected to rise from 18.9% in 2025 to 23.4% by 2060.

Increased longevity is not necessarily accompanied by improved health. In the US, the proportion of healthy years lived by those over 60 decreased between 2000 and 2019, and a high percentage of seniors struggle with multiple chronic diseases or mobility issues.

In response to financial hardships such as rising medical or utility costs, certain social safety nets exist. In Hungary, the State Treasury provides discretionary one-time aid to pensioners facing life-threatening circumstances. This aid, which can be requested once a year, ranges from 15,000 to 50,000 HUF, provided the applicant meets specific monthly income thresholds.