HIBAPRESS-RABAT-OMS
Key facts
Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of people aged 60 and over in the world population will almost double, from 12% to 22%.
In 2020, the number of people aged 60 and over exceeded that of children under five.
By 2050, 80% of older people will live in low- and middle-income countries.
The aging of the population is much faster than in the past.
All countries face major challenges to prepare their social and health systems to make the most of this demographic change.
Understanding aging
From a biological perspective, aging is the product of the accumulation of a wide range of molecular and cellular damage over time. This leads to a progressive deterioration of physical and mental capacities, an increase in the risk of illness and, finally, death. These changes are neither linear nor regular and are not closely associated with the number of years.
The diversity observed at an advanced age is not the result of chance. Beyond biological changes, aging is also associated with other life transitions such as retirement, relocation to more suitable housing and the death of friends or partners.
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