Our world isn't just aging; it's evolving at dramatically different speeds, from Japan's median age nearing 50 to Nigeria's vibrant youth at just over 18, as revealed by a sweeping look at global age statistics.
Key Takeaways
- The global median age in 2023 was 30.4 years, up from 28.0 years in 2015.
- In Japan, the median age reached 49.5 years in 2023, the highest worldwide.
- Europe's median age in 2022 was 43.1 years, compared to Africa's 19.7 years.
- The average global life expectancy at birth in 2023 was 73.4 years.
- Japan's life expectancy reached 84.3 years in 2023.
- Hong Kong's life expectancy was 85.5 years for females in 2022.
- The percentage of people aged 65+ in the U.S. was 17.3% in 2023.
- Worldwide, 10% of the population was 65+ in 2022, projected to 16% by 2050.
- In Europe, 21% of the population was 65+ in 2023.
- In 2023, 36.7% of U.S. workforce was aged 45-54.
- Globally, 5.5% of workers are 65+, projected to 9.3% by 2030.
- U.S. labor force participation rate for 55-64 was 64.4% in 2023.
- In 2023, U.S. high school completion rate for 25+ was 89.4%.
- Globally, 69% of adults 25+ have secondary education.
- U.S. bachelor's degree attainment for 25-34 is 40%.
The global population is aging unevenly, with some societies growing much older than others.
Education by Age
- In 2023, U.S. high school completion rate for 25+ was 89.4%.
- Globally, 69% of adults 25+ have secondary education.
- U.S. bachelor's degree attainment for 25-34 is 40%.
- In Japan, 60% of 25-34 have tertiary education.
- EU average tertiary attainment for 30-34 is 42.1% in 2023.
- Canada's postsecondary attainment for 25-64 is 66%.
- South Korea's tertiary enrollment rate for 25-34 is 70%.
- U.S. adults 25+ with graduate degree: 13.7%.
- Australia's Year 12 completion for 20-24 is 89%.
- In Germany, 32% of 25-34 have higher education.
- India's adult literacy rate 15+ is 77.7%.
- UK tertiary education rate for 25-34: 51.3%.
- France's baccalauréat pass rate for 18-year-olds: 96%.
- Sweden's upper secondary completion by 24: 87%.
- China's gross tertiary enrollment ratio 18-22: 59.6%.
- Brazil's literacy rate 15+: 93.4%.
- Netherlands' tertiary attainment 25-34: 52%.
- Finland's PISA score average for 15-year-olds: 489 in 2022.
- Ireland's higher education participation 18-20: 55%.
- Singapore's literacy rate 15+: 97.5%.
- Norway's upper secondary rate by 19: 92%.
- Global youth literacy 15-24: 92%.
- U.S. dropout rate for 16-24: 5.3%.
- Poland's tertiary attainment 25-34: 44.5%.
- Median years of schooling globally for 25+: 8.6 years.
Education by Age Interpretation
While the world is collectively graduating from high school, the real arms race of the 21st century is clearly being waged in university lecture halls, with East Asia sprinting ahead, Europe jogging steadily, and America occasionally stopping to wonder if all this homework is really worth the debt.
Global Population Age
- The global median age in 2023 was 30.4 years, up from 28.0 years in 2015.
- In Japan, the median age reached 49.5 years in 2023, the highest worldwide.
- Europe's median age in 2022 was 43.1 years, compared to Africa's 19.7 years.
- The United States had a median age of 38.9 years in 2022.
- China's median age increased to 39.0 years in 2023 from 37.2 in 2020.
- India's median age was 28.7 years in 2023, reflecting a youthful population.
- Brazil's median age rose to 34.8 years in 2022.
- Nigeria's median age stood at 18.1 years in 2023, one of the lowest globally.
- Russia's median age was 40.3 years in 2022.
- Australia's median age reached 38.3 years in 2023.
- Germany's median age was 47.8 years in 2023.
- Mexico's median age increased to 29.8 years in 2022.
- Indonesia's median age was 30.2 years in 2023.
- France's median age stood at 42.3 years in 2023.
- South Korea's median age hit 44.3 years in 2022.
- Canada's median age was 41.1 years in 2023.
- Italy's median age reached 46.5 years in 2023.
- Turkey's median age was 32.2 years in 2022.
- United Kingdom's median age was 40.1 years in 2023.
- Egypt's median age stood at 24.6 years in 2023.
- Spain's median age was 46.8 years in 2023.
- Pakistan's median age was 22.8 years in 2023.
- Thailand's median age reached 40.2 years in 2022.
- Poland's median age was 42.5 years in 2023.
- Bangladesh's median age stood at 27.9 years in 2023.
- Sweden's median age was 41.2 years in 2023.
- Philippines' median age was 25.7 years in 2023.
- Netherlands' median age reached 42.2 years in 2022.
- Vietnam's median age was 32.5 years in 2023.
- Switzerland's median age stood at 42.7 years in 2023.
Global Population Age Interpretation
The world is graying unevenly, leaving Japan with a midlife crisis while Africa is still cramming for its adolescence, a demographic split that will reshape everything from geopolitics to pension plans.
Health and Aging
- The percentage of people aged 65+ in the U.S. was 17.3% in 2023.
- Worldwide, 10% of the population was 65+ in 2022, projected to 16% by 2050.
- In Europe, 21% of the population was 65+ in 2023.
- Alzheimer's disease affects 6.7 million Americans aged 65+ in 2023.
- Hip fractures in people over 65 cost the U.S. $20 billion annually.
- 28% of U.S. adults aged 65+ have diabetes.
- Falls cause 3 million emergency visits for seniors 65+ yearly in the U.S.
- In Japan, 29% of population is 65+, with dementia prevalence at 15%.
- Chronic diseases account for 90% of $4.1 trillion U.S. healthcare spending on 65+.
- 50% of U.S. adults 65+ take 5+ prescription drugs daily.
- Osteoporosis affects 12.6% of U.S. population 50+.
- In the EU, 19.7% of 65+ report depression symptoms.
- Hearing loss affects 1 in 3 people aged 65-74 globally.
- Vision impairment impacts 2.2 billion people worldwide, mostly 50+.
- In Canada, 25% of 65+ live with arthritis.
- U.S. seniors 65+ have 80% higher hospitalization rates for flu.
- Parkinson's disease diagnosed in 1% of people 60+ worldwide.
- In Australia, 1 in 6 people 65+ experience elder abuse.
- Global undernutrition affects 50 million older adults.
- U.S. 65+ cancer survivors number 18 million in 2022.
- Heart disease death rate for U.S. 65-74 is 383 per 100,000.
- In UK, 1.6 million 65+ live alone.
- Dementia costs global economy $1.3 trillion annually, mostly 65+.
- U.S. Medicare spending on 65+ chronic conditions is 90% of total.
Health and Aging Interpretation
We are living in a silver tsunami of statistics, where the graying of our global population presents both a demographic triumph and a staggering cascade of medical, economic, and social challenges that we are utterly unprepared to manage.
Life Expectancy
- The average global life expectancy at birth in 2023 was 73.4 years.
- Japan's life expectancy reached 84.3 years in 2023.
- Hong Kong's life expectancy was 85.5 years for females in 2022.
- U.S. life expectancy at birth fell to 76.4 years in 2022 from 78.8 in 2019.
- Switzerland's life expectancy was 83.9 years in 2023.
- Australia's life expectancy reached 83.2 years in 2022.
- South Korea's life expectancy hit 83.6 years in 2023.
- Canada's life expectancy was 82.4 years in 2022.
- France's life expectancy stood at 82.7 years in 2023.
- Sweden's life expectancy reached 82.9 years in 2022.
- Italy's life expectancy was 83.0 years in 2023.
- Spain's life expectancy hit 83.2 years in 2022.
- Singapore's life expectancy was 83.7 years in 2023.
- Norway's life expectancy reached 83.2 years in 2023.
- Netherlands' life expectancy was 82.3 years in 2022.
- New Zealand's life expectancy stood at 82.0 years in 2023.
- Ireland's life expectancy reached 82.1 years in 2022.
- Israel's life expectancy was 82.9 years in 2023.
- Belgium's life expectancy hit 81.9 years in 2022.
- Austria's life expectancy was 81.6 years in 2023.
- Denmark's life expectancy reached 81.4 years in 2022.
- Finland's life expectancy stood at 81.9 years in 2023.
- Greece's life expectancy was 81.3 years in 2022.
- Portugal's life expectancy hit 81.7 years in 2023.
- Global life expectancy for males was 70.8 years in 2021.
- Global life expectancy for females was 75.6 years in 2021.
- In the U.S., life expectancy at age 65 was 19.1 years in 2022.
- Japan's life expectancy at age 65 for women was 25.1 years in 2023.
Life Expectancy Interpretation
If you're aiming for a ripe old age, the data suggests your best bet is to be a woman living in Hong Kong, while trying to avoid the unfortunate American trend of your expiration date arriving sooner rather than later.
Social and Behavioral Age
- In the U.S., 25% of 65+ engage in volunteering weekly.
- Globally, 15% of 60+ report loneliness.
- U.S. marriage rate peaks at age 25-34 with 35 per 1,000.
- In Japan, 28% of men 50+ live alone.
- EU social isolation affects 13% of 65+.
- Divorce rate in U.S. highest for ages 45-54 at 21 per 1,000.
- Globally, fertility rate for 20-24 is 104 births per 1,000 women.
- In U.S., 40% of 18-29 use social media daily for 3+ hours.
- UK's grandparent childcare: 23% of 65+ provide weekly.
- Suicide rate peaks at 75+ for males at 42 per 100,000 in U.S.
- In Canada, 50% of 65+ participate in community groups.
- Global voter turnout highest for 65+ at 74%.
- Australia's digital exclusion: 20% of 65+ offline.
- In France, intergenerational living: 10% of households.
- U.S. teen (13-17) smartphone ownership: 95%.
- Sweden's trust in others highest at 65+ : 60%.
- China's empty nest households: 50% of urban elderly.
- Netherlands' happiness peaks at 65-74: 7.6/10.
- India fertility rate for 25-29: 1.8 children per woman.
- Global life satisfaction lowest at 45-54: 6.6/10.
Social and Behavioral Age Interpretation
We are a species that finds profound purpose in our later years through community, voting, and volunteering, yet our path there is marred by a loneliness epidemic, a midlife crisis of satisfaction, and the digital and social isolation that ironically coexists with unprecedented global connection.
Workforce Age
- In 2023, 36.7% of U.S. workforce was aged 45-54.
- Globally, 5.5% of workers are 65+, projected to 9.3% by 2030.
- U.S. labor force participation rate for 55-64 was 64.4% in 2023.
- In Japan, 25.1% of workforce is 65+ in 2023.
- EU average retirement age is 64.8 years for men, 63.6 for women.
- U.S. prime-age (25-54) employment-population ratio is 80.9% in 2023.
- In Germany, 70% of 60-64 year-olds are employed.
- Global youth (15-24) unemployment rate is 13.8% in 2023.
- Australia's workforce 55+ participation rose to 66% in 2023.
- In South Korea, average retirement age is 49.5 years.
- U.S. workers 65+ grew 117% from 2000-2023.
- Canada's 55-64 employment rate is 68.5% in 2023.
- In UK, 10.4 million workers aged 50+ in 2023.
- France's effective retirement age is 62.4 years.
- India's workforce median age is 28 years.
- Sweden's 65+ employment rate is 25.1%.
- In China, 20% of workforce will be 50+ by 2030.
- Netherlands' 55-64 participation rate is 74.8%.
- Brazil's youth employment rate (15-24) is 42.5%.
- Italy's retirement age average is 62.3 years.
- Global older worker (50+) employment projected to rise 25% by 2030.
- Spain's 55+ unemployment rate is 13.2%.
- Singapore's workforce median age is 43 years.
Workforce Age Interpretation
We're witnessing a global workplace gerontocracy in action, where the seasoned veterans are holding the fort (and the jobs) with increasing tenacity, leaving the youngsters to queue outside and wonder if they'll ever get the keys.
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