The line graph illustrates the proportion of the elderly population aged 65 and over in three countries over a century. Overall, it is evident that the percentage of people aged 65 and over increased in all three countries over the century, with Japan projected to have the largest elderly population.
In 1940, Japan had the smallest elderly population at 5%. Following a forty-year decline, the number of older people is expected to significantly rise to around 27% by 2040.
Sweden and the US exhibit similar trends. In 1940, approximately 7% and 9% of the population were aged 65 and over in Sweden and the US respectively. These figures gradually increased over the next 40 years, with a slight decrease thereafter. However, by 2020, the proportion of the elderly population in Sweden had reached 20%, while in the US, the numbers remained the same. Projections indicate that by 2040, the proportion in Sweden is expected to decrease slightly to just under 20% but increase notably to 25%, while in the US, a similar increase to just under 25% is anticipated.