Population aging is one of the most significant trends of the 21st century — 1 in 8 people in the world are aged 60 or over, and by 2050, this age group will make up 22% of the global population. This is something to be celebrated, said Michael Herrmann, senior adviser on economics, and manager of the Innovation Fund at the United Nations Population Fund — mainly, because it’s a result of significant improvements in modern medicine, infrastructure, nutrition, and water and sanitation, among other things. But the aging of individuals isn’t the same as the aging of a population, he continued, so as fertility rates continue to decline and migration patterns influence country demographics, some governments are anxious about the steady increase of older people as a proportion of the population.
“When we talk about older persons, we often do so through this concept of the dependency ratio and this contributes to this terrible perception of older persons are a burden,” Hermann said. “But older persons gave a lot in their lifetime, and I think they still have a lot to give.”
With the global population already surpassing 8 billion, UNFPA is working with governments to ease their anxieties and help them better prepare for an aging population.
About the author
Emma Smith
For four years, Emma Smith covered careers and recruitment, among other topics, for Devex. She now freelances for Devex and has a special interest in mental health, immigration, and sexual and reproductive health. She holds a degree in journalism from Glasgow Caledonian University and a master’s in media and international conflict.
