FROM 12 to 22 PER CENT ?

For most of history people over the age of 65 accounted for no more than around 4% of the population, but that has all changed.   Now the over 60’s make up about 12% of the world’s population, and that is set to increase to 22% by the year 2050.    The proportion is changing due to older people living longer for a range of reasons, and fertility rates of younger people decreasing worldwide.   People in western societies can currently have a life expectancy of their late 70’s /early 80’s, but this too is changing and in future more of us will have a longer life span.   Ageing in as positive way as possible has always been important, and will become crucial if we are to ensure that a significant chunk of our future population enjoy contentment and continued fulfilment in their life.