Antivia of the population is an irreversible global trend. According to forecasts, in 2021, every tenth person in the world will be at the age of 65 and older, and in 2050 this age group will be 1 out of 6 people around the world.
In order to solve the problems of aging the population of the world, improve health, social and economic conditions of the elderly and increase awareness on this issue on October 1, the International Day of the elderly is annually celebrated. The UN General Assembly adopted a corresponding resolution in December 1990.
This year, the International Day of the elderly UN is devoted to the topic “Fulfillment of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Elderly – Through Generations.” During special events, issues relating to the position of elderly people around the world will be considered, related to the exercise of their basic rights and freedoms. Particular attention will be paid to strengthening solidarity based on equality between generations and sustainable decisions to fulfill goals in the field of sustainable development.
According to the World Social Report for 2023, the share of the elderly in the population of the planet demonstrates growth.
according to forecasts, the number of people aged 65 and older in the world will more than double – from 761 million people in 2021 to 1.6 billion people in 2050. The number of people aged 80 and older will grow even faster.
Currently, there are almost 700 million people over 60 in the world. By 2050, the number of people over 60 will reach two billion, amounting to more than 20 percent of the world population.
The growth of the number of elderly people will be the most rapid in developing countries. Asia will become a region with the largest number of older people, and in Africa a proportional population of the population of all age groups will occur.
In 2021, 30 million people aged 65 and older lived in the regions of North Africa and West Asia. It is predicted that in 2050 this number will increase to 98 million. It is expected that the senior population in Africa countries south of Sahara will increase from 35 million in 2021 to 100 million in 2050.
According to estimates, the senior population in East Asia and Southeast Asia in 2050 will reach 598 million, while in 2021 it set 293 million
European and North America today are among the regions with the largest number of older people. In 2021, the population of over 65 was recorded at the level of 208 million. It is expected that by 2050 this number will increase to 303 million
The UN report notes that the level of education and access to healthcare affects the life expectancy of people and the state of health in old age. Inequality of income and negative working conditions also affect the standard of living of older people.