1. The overall population is aging. For the first time in history, and probably for the rest of human history, people age 65 and over will outnumber children under age 5. (4)
2. Life expectancy is increasing. Most countries, including developing countries, show a steady increase in longevity over time, which raises the question of how much further life expectancy will increase. (5)
3. The number of oldest old is rising. People age 85 and over are now the fastest growing portion of many national populations. (6)
4. Non-communicable diseases are becoming a growing burden. Chronic non-communicable diseases are now the major cause of death among older people in both more developed and less developed countries. (7)
5. Some populations will shrink in the next few decades. While world population is aging at an unprecedented rate, the total population in some countries is simultaneously declining. (8)
6. Family structures are changing. As people live longer and have fewer children, family structures are transformed, leaving older people with fewer options for care. (9)
7. Patterns of work and retirement are shifting. Shrinking ratios of workers to pensioners and people spending a larger portion of their lives in retirement increasingly strain existing health and pension systems. (10)
8. Social insurance systems are evolving. As social insurance expenditures escalate, an increasing number of countries are evaluating the sustainability of these systems. (11)
9. New economic challenges are emerging. Population aging will have dramatic effects on social entitlement programs, labor supply, trade, and savings around the globe and may demand new fiscal approaches to accommodate a changing world. (12)