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Population aging is a worldwide problem - and it has many potential consequences
(June 2004)

A report from the United Nations Population Division focused on what will be one of the major issues for the rest of this century - and beyond - the rapid aging of the population in both developed and less developed areas.

Here are some of the conclusions from this and similar recent reports:

- Worldwide, there are currently more than 600 million people over age 60. By the year 2050, that number will increase to almost 2 billion, roughly 20 percent of the world population at that time.

- By 2050, there will be more people over age 60 than there will be under age 15; that is a dramatic change.

- In richer, more developed countries, by 2050 the percentage over age 60 will increase to about 30 percent; in the United States, 1 out of every 4 persons will be older than 60 years. That will have huge financial and political implications.

- By 2050, the ratio of working people to those over age 65 will be about 4 to 1; 50 years ago, it was 12 to 1. In the United States, it will be about 2 to 1. That will have major implications for Social Security and retirement planning.

- The trend towards an ever older population is sweeping the world - it started in developed, more affluent countries, but, by 2050, it will affect every continent, more developed and less developed areas, more affluent and less affluent individuals and populations.

There are many problems facing the inhabitants of planet Earth - the aging population is not yet a major issue, but it will be - and very soon.

Healthful Life is dedicated to having people live longer, healthier lives. What does “longer” mean? Is it an expected life span at birth of 80 years? 100 years? 120 years? Our fantastic scientific discoveries related to aging are now leading some in the scientific community (and many others) to talk of the realistic possibility of average life expectancies of 110 or 120 or more years. Healthful Life believes that would likely create enormous societal and individual problems.

So far, there is very little discussion or debate about where we are going or want to go in regard to living to very old ages. This is potentially a big issue. For a more extended discussion, CLICK HERE for our essay - CREATING VERY OLD PEOPLE: ARE WE READY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES?