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The world has reached a historic demographic milestone: for the first time in recorded history, the number of people aged 65 and above has surpassed the number of children under five worldwide.
The shift is being driven mainly by declining birth rates and rising life expectancy.
According to a new report by the US Census Bureau, the change is the result of demographic trends that have been unfolding over several decades rather than a sudden development.
People across the world are having fewer children due to changing lifestyles, delayed marriage and childbearing, rising living costs, and greater access to family planning. The trend is evident in both developed and developing countries.
At the same time, advances in medicine, nutrition, sanitation and public health have enabled people to live longer.
As a result, the proportion of elderly people is steadily increasing while the number of young children is declining.
Russia and Japan were among the first major countries to experience population decline alongside a rising share of elderly people.
Russia’s population began declining in 1996, while Japan entered a period of population decline in 2008.
The ageing trend, once largely associated with Japan, South Korea and wealthy European countries, is now spreading rapidly across developing parts of Asia and Latin America.
The demographic shift could have far-reaching consequences for economies, healthcare systems and social security.
Governments may need to redesign economic policies, housing programmes and healthcare services to meet the growing needs of older populations.
The trend also raises concerns about elderly people living in poverty, isolation or with limited ability to care for themselves.
As families become smaller and the number of childless people rises, providing care and social support for older citizens is becoming an increasingly important challenge.