Senior Citizens Day highlights global demographic shifts

August 21 marks National Senior Citizens Day, an observance established in 1988 by U.S. President Ronald Reagan to honor the achievements and contributions of older adults. The day highlights the growing global demographic shift toward an aging population. In the United States, the number of citizens aged 65 and older reached approximately 61.2 million in 2024, accounting for 18% of the population.

Globally, the World Health Organization reports that life expectancy at birth reached 73.3 years in 2024. By 2030, the global population of people aged 60 and older is expected to reach 1.4 billion. This transition necessitates increased focus on healthcare, financial security, and social support systems.

In India, the demographic change is also significant. The UNFPA India Ageing Report 2023 estimated that there were approximately 149 million people aged 60 and above in 2022, with their share of the population projected to rise considerably by 2050. This shift impacts public sectors including housing, transportation, pensions, and geriatric services.