The line graph illustrates the percentage of senior residents of three countries –Japan, Sweden and the USA – aged 65 years and above, over a century, from 1940 with projections to 2040.
Overall, it is obvious from the chart that the proportion of the elderly Americans and Japanese inhabitants was initially the highest and lowest, respectively, whereas these trends are likely to adjust by 2040.
In the past, the share of the old people in the USA was around 9% in 1940, which was 2% higher than Sweden’s and 4% higher than Japan’s. The proportion of the USA and Sweden grew along similar trajectories until about 1992, thereafter which the Sweden’s rate climbed noticeably to 20%, while the USA’s levelled out at roughly 15% today. Meanwhile, the Japan’s rate experienced a marginal decline. Only after recovering to its initial percentage of 5% in 2000 did it increase to its current 7%.
Looking at future estimates, Sweden’s populace of elderly people is expected to decline slightly by around 2025. Following this, both the USA’s and Sweden’s contingent are forecast to go up similarly, with the former reaching over one-fifth and latter attaining a quarter. In the meantime, Japan’s share is projected to skyrocket, accounting for a chart-high of 28% in 2040.