The line graph illustrates changes in the proportion of elderly people (aged 65 and over) in Japan, Sweden, and the USA from 1940 to 2040.
Overall, it is clear that all three countries have faced a significant upward trend over the century in the proportion of the older population. Even though Japan started with the lowest percentage, it has experienced the most dramatic growth and overtaken both Sweden and the USA by the end of a period.
In 1940, the USA had the largest number of elderly people at approximately 9%, followed by Sweden and Japan at around 7% and 5% respectively. Between 1940 and 1980, the figures for the USA and Sweden rose steadily to about 15% and 14% respectively. In contrast, Japan’s elderly population actually dipped slightly before remaining stable at under 5% until the early 2000s.
Looking toward the future, the proportions in all three countries are set to climb sharply. Between 2030 and 2040, Japan is projected to undergo a dramatic surge, overtaking both Western nations to reach 27%. Sweden and the USA are also expected to reach peak levels of 25% and 23% respectively by 2040. Consequently, by the end of the period, more than one in five people in each of these countries will be aged 65 or over.