The world’s population is aging rapidly, with people aged 65 and older expected to account for nearly one fifth of the global population by 2060, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s An Aging World: 2025 report.
The share of people aged 65 and older is projected to rise from 10.5% in 2025 to 19.6% in 2060. A major demographic milestone has already occurred. Between 2020 and 2025, older adults outnumbered children aged 5 and younger for the first time in recorded history.
In 2025, 18.9% of the U.S. population was aged 65 or older, ranking the country 48th oldest among 227 countries. By 2060, that share is expected to reach 23.4%. Despite this increase, the United States is projected to fall to 110th place as populations in many other countries age even faster.
Japan had the world’s oldest population in 2025, with 29.7% aged 65 and older. By 2060, South Korea is expected to take the lead, with older adults representing about 41% of its population.
Europe remains the world’s oldest region, with its population aged 65 and older projected to grow from 21% in 2025 to 30.8% in 2060. However, Africa is expected to surpass Europe in the total number of older adults. By 2060, Africa could have 249 million people aged 65 and older, compared with 214 million in Europe.
The rep
