Senior Online Safety - agingIn a new research report released by the Pew Research Center, “Attitudes about Aging: A Global Perspective,” it was revealed that the Japanese population is concerned about their rapidly aging population with the population of the US less concerned.  Interestingly, the global population of seniors (those 65+) may triple from today’s levels, to more than 1.5 billion by 2050. From the perspective of Senior Online Safety and our investment of time, energy and resources, the validation of the need for our knowledge share and engagement due to the population shift carries a degree of satisfaction, in knowing the number of seniors is increasing at a phenomenal level.

In the US for example, the population of seniors is expected to increase to 86 million by 2050, double that of 2010.  The Pew Research Center provided this graphic depiction:

Senior Online Safety - Pew Research Center - slide 1
Estimated percent change in population, 2010 to 2050, by age, in the world and the U.S.

Then give some thought to the median age in the US and the number shifts from 37 to 41 years-of-age

Senior Online Safety - Pew Research - graying of the US
The world is graying faster than the U.S.
Pew Research Center

Interestingly, in most countries, according the the Pew Research Center’s data, a population shift will occur mid-century whereby the percent of the population younger than 15 and older than 65 will shift. What that means, it is projected that in 2050 the number of persons older than 65+ will be greater than 21 percent of the total US population (estimated to be at 401 million by 2050), and less than 18 percent of the population younger than 15.

Senior Online Safety - Pew Research Center data
Trading young for old – globally

And as the population ages, there will be less individuals under the age of 65 supporting the ever growing number of 65+ who are dependents. Thus more and more seniors will be dependent upon the generations which follow.

Senior Online Safety - Pew Research Center - Pressure on workers
Pew Research Center – Working-age people who may have to support more dependents.

In sum, 30 percent of the population of Mexico believe the senior population will be a problem for society. In the US, 26 percent believe the aging population will be a problem in the US.  When we look at Asia – Japan, S. Korea and China, more than 67 percent of the population of China believe their aging population will be a serious issue, with 79 percent in S. Korea and 87 percent in Japan. As our population ages, our seniors will be more and more responsible for their own well being, both online and off.

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