July 23: The global population is aging

Countries with higher incomes have larger older populations.

Source: Our World in Data
Published: May 2019

The global population is aging

In 2018, for the first time in recorded history, the number of people aged 64+ surpassed the number of children under 5 years old. This is a global trend, though countries have reached this benchmark at different times. 

In countries with higher incomes and lower fertility rates, the shift has occurred over the last several decades. For low-income countries with higher fertility rates and earlier mortality, a larger older population is still years away.

Changing age demographics by country

Country | Year ages 64+ outnumbered children under 5  (actual or projected)

The United States | 1966
Spain | 1970
South Korea | 2000
India | 2028
South Africa | 2036
Nigeria | 2087