Today almost 1 in 10 people are over 60 years old. By 2050 the figure will be higher than 1 in 5.

Currently 64% of older people live in less developed regions, by 2050 this figure will rise to 80%.

Population over 60 by region

Globally, people aged over 60 will outnumber children aged 0-14 by 2050.

In Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and North America the number of people aged 0-14 has already peaked and is now declining. 

Even in the least developed countries adults who survive to 60 can expect to live a further 15 or more years.

Global population by age group

Globally the 60-79 and 80 plus age groups are growing the fastest.

The speed of change is greatest in Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean, where the number of people aged 60-79 is growing at 3.3% and the number of people over 80 is growing at almost 5% per year.

Asia will have the greatest growth in the number of older people between 2005 and 2050 in absolute terms (from 365 million in 2005 to 1.23 billion in 2050).

In Africa the proportion of population aged over 60 will increase by 310% over the period to 2050.

Globally, the number of people over 80 is growing at 4% per annum, whereas the population as a whole is growing at 1% per annum. 

3.5 million people will be over 100 years old by 2050. Over half will live in Asia. 

Population over 60 by region

Gender differences

Across all regions women account for the majority of people aged over 60 and over 80.

Sex ratio: Men per 100 women (2006)

Increased life expectancy

Life expectancy at 60 will increase globally from a further 19 years in 2005 to a further 22 years in 2050. 

In 2005, men in least developed countries who survived to age 60 could expect to live a further 15 years. Women surviving to age 60 could expect to live a further 17 years.

By 2050, the average life expectancy at 60 in the least developed countries will be almost 20 years. 

Life expectancy at 60 by gender