The table illustrates the proportion of the population in the 60 and over age group across six different regions and the whole world in 2000 and an estimation of 2050.
Overall, based on historical and predictive data, there would be an increase in the percentage of senior people in all categories examined to varying degrees. Additionally, Europe consistently has the highest elderly population rate, whereas this figure is recorded the least in Africa.
Regarding regions with the highest elderly citizens rate, the percentage of old people in Europe was 22% in 2000, whose figure is projected to rise significantly to a peak of 31% in 2050. This is closely followed by Asia, as its senior population share will surge dramatically from 12% in 2000 to 28% by the end of this period, exhibiting the largest range of change among all regions. Similarly, North America made up 11% of senior residents, after which it is forecasted to undergo a considerable increasing trend to 26% by the final year.
Moving on to the remaining areas, Oceania and the whole world initially recorded 11% and 13% of the elderly population, respectively. Then, it will increase by 11 percentage points, with the former reaching 22% and the latter being 24% in 2050. Meanwhile, Latin America and Africa had a minimal elderly citizens rate, ranging from 5% to 7% in 2000. Although Latin America is predicted to grow exponentially to 18% of senior residents, the figure for Africa will rise to a lesser extent of 12%. Africa represents the lowest elderly population gap.