Aging
The world crossed an important threshold in 2018, when the number of older people (over 64 years old) surpassed the number of young children (under the age of 5) for the first time ever. This section explores shifting demographics worldwide and their social, economic, and health consequences
Aging
24%
About 24% of rural China is over the age of 60, compared to 18% in cities
COVID Deaths in Rural China
13.2 M
In Nigeria, an estimated 13.2 million children were out of school before 2020
A Longer Life Begins in the Classroom
13%
Only 13% of older adults in Kanagawa require long-term care, a far lower proportion than Japan's 20% average
A New Model for Healthy Aging
57 Million
In 2019, there were more than 57 million people living with dementia globally—roughly the population of Italy
People living with dementia globally
127%
By 2050, New Zealand expects a 127 percent increase in the number of people with dementia
New Zealand's dementia growth by 2050
65.2 Years
In the AIAN population, life expectancy dropped from 67.1 years in 2020 to 65.2 years in 2021
American Indian and Alaska Native life expectancy
77 Percent
77 percent of all vision loss occurs among people aged 50 and older
Aging and vision loss
62%
Population under age 25 in sub-Saharan Africa
Population under age 25 in sub-Saharan Africa
Featured
Rethinking Insurance for an Aging Population
Instead of patchwork policy and inaction, the United States needs a national program for long-term care
Global Life Expectancy Declines for First Time in 30 Years
Overall life expectancy is struggling, according to a highly anticipated update to the Global Burden of Disease study
A Longer Life Begins in the Classroom
A new study measures how much extra life comes from being educated
Roadblocks to Gen Z's Mental Health Care
Struggles felt by Gen Z spotlight the issues of mental health-care access in the United States
AI and Facial Recognition Dive Into Global Health Care
How artificial intelligence is used to diagnose diseases and understand behavior
Traditional Medicine Gains Global Policy Recognition
How physician and immunologist Kenji Watanabe's efforts brought East Asian traditional medicine to the fore
Unsung Heroes: How Elder Care Leans on Singapore’s Women
Addressing the disproportionate effect of aging societies on women
Rethinking HIV in an Aging Society
Central to supporting elderly communities is providing people living with HIV better integrated primary care
Long COVID May Catalyze New Treatments for Chronic Pain and Fatigue
Medical breakthroughs for long COVID could benefit millions
Eight Billion and Counting
The world's population is on the verge of hitting eight billion people, and advances in health are behind the increase
The Quest for Social Connection and Well-Being
Scientists have been slow at developing strategies that measure and promote well-being within communities