News: 0185437622

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The World Now Has More Seniors Than Young People - for the First Time In History (ibtimes.com)

(Saturday September 05, 2026 @05:00PM (EditorDavid) from the get-off-my-lawn dept.)


"There are now more seniors in the world than young children," [1]reports the International Business Times , citing a [2]new report from the U.S. Census Bureau report . And it warns that "The share of the population aged 65 and over is projected to nearly double, from 10.5 percent (about 1 in 10 people) in 2025 to 19.6 percent (about 1 in 5 people) by 2060."

> The world is expected to add another 2 billion people from 2025 to 2060, increasing global population from around 8 billion to around 10 billion... "Over one-half of that growth (1.148 billion) is projected to come from an increase in the population aged 65 and over," the report states. "By contrast, the population at younger ages (age 0-19) is projected to stay relatively constant due to persistent low fertility. As the size of the older population grows rapidly and the youthful age population remains roughly the same, the percentage of the population aged 65 and over is projected to increase."

>

> The report notes that the birthrate in 71 percent of countries is now below the replacement level of 2.1. China, in particular, has seen its birthrate plummet. In 2023, birth rates per woman in China hit 1.06... Aside from lower birth rates, the fact that people are living longer is one of the primary driving factors. The report notes that people are also living a healthier, more active life for a longer time.



[1] https://www.ibtimes.com/older-people-surpass-young-world-first-time-history-report-3807110

[2] https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2026/demo/P95-26-1.html



population growth is 65 and over? (Score:2)

by dfghjk ( 711126 )

'"Over one-half of that growth (1.148 billion) is projected to come from an increase in the population aged 65 and over,"'

Who knew people could be born aged 65 and over. Last time I checked, people 65 and over were alive 65 years ago.

Re: (Score:2)

by 93 Escort Wagon ( 326346 )

There are a whole lot of guys named Benjamin Button, apparently.

Re: (Score:2)

by meandmatt ( 2741421 )

During Adam and Eve's time the retirement age was 650. They would have had dozens of kids before they hit that demographic so unfortunately the suggestion doesn't hold. But I like your all encompassing thinking!

Wait, what??? (Score:2)

by Tony Isaac ( 1301187 )

> Over one-half of that growth (1.148 billion) is projected to come from an increase in the population aged 65 and over,

The growth in population is mostly due to older people?

Wait, older people are already here. They aren't causing the growth. Well, maybe you could say that because they aren't dying as young, they stick around longer, leading to population increases.

Re: (Score:2)

by hey! ( 33014 )

Think of the categories as fixed, and the people moving *through* them. Over 65s are exiting the category at a lower rate.

Rewriting with AI Slop (Score:3)

by kalieaire ( 586092 )

For the first time in history, the global senior demographic outnumbers young children, according to a recent U.S. Census Bureau report. Between 2025 and 2060, the global population is projected to grow from 8 billion to 10 billion, with the 65-and-over demographic nearly doubling its share from 10.5% (roughly 1 in 10) to 19.6% (nearly 1 in 5).

This structural demographic shift is driven by two concurrent factors:

* Demographic Aging and Longevity: Of the projected 2 billion net population increase, 1.148 billion will reflect existing cohorts aging into the 65+ bracket alongside extended life expectancies, with individuals living healthier, more active lives longer.

* Persistent Sub-Replacement Fertility: The global youth population (ages 0–19) is projected to remain flat. Currently, 71% of countries have fertility rates below the 2.1 replacement threshold, highlighted by sharp declines such as China's fertility rate falling to 1.06 births per woman in 2023.

That won't last long. (Score:2)

by couchslug ( 175151 )

The situation is certainly no reason to seek population growth which is purely bad for all but rich real estate developers.

Population decline is pure win.

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