The aging population landscape is shifting, with the world’s oldest countries moving from Europe to Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, as ageing is happening faster in developing nations compared to the pace seen historically in developed ones.
In 1980, the oldest populations were predominantly European, home to all 10 of the countries with the highest share of people aged 65 or above. Forward to 2021, and Japan currently has the oldest population, but by 2050, China (including Hong Kong SAR) and South Korea are expected to overtake it.
Predictions suggest that by 2050, Eastern and South-Eastern Asia will be home to half of the world’s ten oldest populations.
Read more:
- World Social Report 2023, United Nations