Global Population Reaches Historic Aging Milestone as US Demographics Shift

Industry Pulse News Desk · 2026-09-08

Global adults aged 65 and older now outnumber children under 5, though the United States is projected to age at a slower rate than many international peers.

Global demographic levels reached a historic threshold in 2025, as the number of adults aged 65 and older officially surpassed the population of children aged five and under for the first time. The shift highlights widespread declines in birth rates and expanding life expectancies across both developed and developing economies.

In 2025, the United States ranked as the 48th-oldest nation out of 227 countries, with Japan holding the top position at 29.7% of its population aged 65 and older. However, demographic projections indicate the U.S. will drop to 110th place by 2060 as populations in Asia and Europe age at a significantly faster trajectory.

By 2060, South Korea is projected to become the world's oldest country, with 41% of its residents over age 65, followed by Taiwan at 40%. Europe is set to remain the oldest overall region, seeing its senior population rise from 21% to 30.8%. Additionally, 160 countries are expected to see their populations aged 85 and older quadruple over the same timeframe.

Although the U.S. is aging relatively slower than global peers, domestic healthcare and economic structures face mounting pressures. The proportion of healthy years lived by Americans after age 60 decreased by two percentage points between 2000 and 2019, with 73% of seniors living with multiple chronic health conditions between 2016 and 2019.

These shifting demographics are already altering the domestic labor market. Recent economic indicators show healthcare and social assistance sectors adding an average of 32,000 jobs per month over the past year to support the growing demand for elder care services.