The global population aged 65 and over has nearly doubled to 10.3%, and this trend is expected to continue. The world’s population, which continues to grow at varying rates in different regions, has already surpassed 8 billion people, according to Anadolu Agency.
Following the acceptance of a proposal by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to the UN General Assembly in 1989, July 11 is celebrated annually as “World Population Day” to raise awareness of population-related issues.
Anadolu Agency compiled information from UN sources on the current state of the world population, including regional growth and decline trends, in observance of World Population Day.
According to UNFPA data, the global share of people aged 65 and over has nearly doubled from 5.5% in 1974 to 10.3% in 2024. This figure is projected to reach 20.7% by 2074, with the number of those aged 80 and over more than tripling. Currently, developed countries have the highest proportion of elderly populations, while developing countries are typically witnessing rapid population aging. Global population aging is linked to improvements in average life expectancy and declines in fertility rates in many countries.
Global population growth is expected to continue at a slow pace through the 2080s. The global fertility rate has dropped to about 2.3 children per woman, influenced by shifts in family planning, education, and economic conditions. Developed regions such as North America and Europe have a combined population of 1.277 billion, with an average fertility rate of 1.5 children per woman. In contrast, less developed regions spanning Asia, Africa, and Latin America accommodate 6.842 billion people, with higher fertility rates averaging 2.4 children per woman.
