The line graph illustrates the proportion of people aged 65 and over in three countries – the United States, Sweden, and Japan – from 1940 to 2040, including projected figures beyond the present day.
Overall, all three countries show an upward trend in the proportion of elderly citizens over the 100-year period. While the USA and Sweden experienced relatively steady growth throughout, Japan is projected to undergo a dramatic and rapid increase in its ageing population in the latter decades.
In 1940, the USA had the highest proportion of people aged 65 or over, at approximately 9%, followed by Sweden at around 7%, and Japan at roughly 5%. Over the following five decades, the figures for the USA and Sweden rose at a broadly similar and gradual pace, both reaching just under 15% by 1990. Japan, by contrast, recorded minimal change during this period, with its elderly population remaining below 5% until the early 2000s.
From around 2000 onwards, Japan’s ageing population began to increase sharply. This trend is forecast to accelerate considerably between 2030 and 2040, with the proportion rising by more than 15 percentage points in just a single decade – a far steeper trajectory than either of the other two nations. By 2040, it is predicted that approximately 27% of Japan’s population will be aged 65 or above, making it the oldest of the three societies. Sweden and the USA are also expected to see continued growth, reaching around 25% and 23% respectively, though their increases will be comparatively moderate.