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Global population aging and demographic shifts

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2026-09-29 01:35 UTC → 2026-10-04 06:07 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The global population is undergoing a significant demographic shift toward aging, driven by declining fertility rates and increased life expectancy. A major historical milestone has been reached as the global population of adults aged 65 and older has surpassed the number of children aged 5 and under for the first time in recorded history. Data indicates that as of late 2026, people aged 65 and older account for approximately 10.5% of the global population, totaling about 852 million people. This trend is fueled by the fact that over 71% of the global population lives in countries where the total fertility rate is at or below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. This phenomenon, described as a “reproduction trap,” accelerates population aging and threatens to reduce the potential labor force. ~~New data from an OECD report, ‘Health at a Glance: Latin America and the Caribbean 2026’, highlights specific regional pressures.~~ In Latin America and the Caribbean, ~~the~~ an OECD report warns that unprecedented demographic transitions are straining healthcare systems. The proportion of adults over 65 is projected to nearly double to 18.1% by 2050, while the share of those aged 80 or older is expected to rise from 1.8% to 4.9%. This transition ~~is occurring~~ occurs alongside high rates of preventable mortality, which stood at 297 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023. The ~~report also notes a heavy reliance on informal care; the~~ region ~~currently utilizes~~ relies heavily on approximately 25 million unpaid ~~caregivers, 60%~~ caregivers—60% of whom are ~~women.~~ women—compared to only 3 million paid caregivers. To maintain current care levels by 2050, ~~the number of~~ informal caregivers would need to reach 60.5 million. Globally, the United Nations projects the population aged 60 and older will reach 2.1 billion by 2050. In Europe, the transition is advanced; as of early 2025, 99 million people in the EU were aged 65 or older, representing 22% of the population. Experts ~~advocate for professionalizing~~ emphasize the ~~paid workforce~~ need to redesign healthcare and ~~supporting family caregivers~~ social systems to ~~manage rising rates of chronic diseases~~ address pension adequacy and ~~dementia.~~ geriatric services.

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