In 2020, there were an estimated 727 million persons aged 65 years or over worldwide. This number is projected to more than double by 2050, reaching over 1.5 billion persons. By mid-century, one in six people globally will be aged 65 years or older. Globally, the population aged 65 years and over is growing faster than all other age groups. This has implications for most sectors of society including labor and financial markets, demands for goods and services, as well as family structures and intergenerational ties. In this installment of Research on Aging, Alison A. Moore, M.D., UC San Diego, takes a deeper look at the issues surrounding healthy aging around the globe.

WHO defines healthy aging “as the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age.” Healthy aging is about creating the environments and opportunities that enable people to be and do what they value throughout their lives. Everybody can experience healthy aging, especially, as Moore posits, if we address issues of equity, diversity, and ageism.

Learn more about local and global efforts to improve the lives of older people, their families and communities. Watch Global Healthy Aging – A Review of Efforts to Support Healthy Aging From Around the World.

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