The line graph shows the percentage of individuals aged 65 and over from 1940 to 2040 in Japan, Sweden, and the USA. Overall, all three countries are projected to witness an upward trend in their elderly population percentages, albeit at varying rates. It is particularly notable that the rate of the elderly population in Japan is expected to exceed that of its counterparts.
In 1940, the USA was at the forefront with its aging population rate, accounting for under a tenth of its population, closely followed by Sweden, which was around 6%. They followed a similar trajectory, rising markedly to 15 and 13%, respectively, in 1980. After declining slightly, the figure of Sweden outpaced that of the USA by increasing to 20% in 2010, while the former country continued falling to 13%. The gap between them is expected to narrow down, with both figures coming closer in 2025. A rising trend will have been observed by 2040, with Sweden finishing at 25%, merely higher than the USA (23%).
In contrast, Japan’s aging population was at 5% in 1940. Over 20 years, the percentage of the older age group went down by 2% and remained stable until 2000, when the figures began to climb considerably. Following this period of growth (10%), a steep increase is projected, with Japan surpassing other countries to reach a peak of 27% in 2040.