9.1: Late Adulthood Definition and Demographics

Late adulthood spans the time when we reach our mid-sixties until death. This is the longest developmental stage across the lifespan. In this chapter, we will consider the growth in numbers for those in late adulthood, how that number is expected to change in the future, and the implications this will bring to both the United States and worldwide. We will also examine several theories of human aging, the physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes that occur with this population, and the vast diversity among those in this developmental stage. Further, ageism and many of the myths associated with those in late adulthood will be explored.

Learning Objectives: Late Adulthood Definition and Demographics

• Describe the increase in the number of individuals who are currently identified as late adults
• Describe the increase in late adulthood worldwide
• Explain gender and ethnic differences in the number of individuals identified as late adults
• Explain the different ways developmental psychologists describe aging
• Explain the difference between life span and life expectancy
• Describe the impact of COVID-19 on life expectancy in the world and United States
• Describe how life expectancy differed based on ethnicity and gender
• Define the four age categories for late adulthood
• Explain what factors contribute to becoming a centenarian

Late Adulthood in America

Late adulthood, which includes those aged 65 years and above, is the fastest growing age division of the United States population (Gatz et al., 2016). Currently, one in seven Americans is 65 years of age or older. The first of the baby boomers (born from 1946–1964) turned 65 in 2011, and approximately 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day. By the year 2050, almost one in four Americans will be over 65, and will be expected to live longer than previous generations. According to the U. S. Census Bureau (2014b) a person who turned 65 in 2015 can expect to live another 19 years, which is 5.5 years longer than someone who turned 65 in 1950. This increasingly aged population has been referred to as the "Graying of America". This "graying" is already having significant effects on the nation in many areas, including work, health care, housing, social security, caregiving, and adaptive technologies. Table \(\PageIndex{1}\) shows the 2012, 2020, and 2030 projected percentages of the U.S. population ages 65 and older.

Table \(\PageIndex{1}\). Percent of United States Population 65 Years or Older.

Percent of United States Population	2012	2020	2030
Total 65 Years and Older	13.7%	16.8%	20.3%
65–69	4.5%	5.4%	5.6%
70–74	3.2%	4.4%	5.2%
75–79	2.4%	3.0%	4.1%
80–84	1.8%	1.9%	2.9%
85 Years and Older	1.9%	2.0%	2.5%
Compiled from data from An Aging Nation: The older population in the United States. United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/prod/2014pubs/p25-1140.pdf.

The "Graying" of the World

Even though the United States is aging, it is still younger than most other developed countries (Ortman et al., 2014). Germany, Italy, and Japan all had at least 20% of their population aged 65 and over in 2012, and Japan had the highest percentage of elderly. Additionally, between 2012 and 2050, the proportion aged 65 and over is projected to increase in all developed countries. Japan is projected to continue to have the oldest population in 2030 and 2050. Table \(\PageIndex{2}\) shows the percentages of citizens aged 65 and older in select developed countries in 2012 and projected for 2030 and 2050.

Table \(\PageIndex{2}\). Percentage of Citizens 65 Uears and Older in Six Developed Countries.

Percent of Population 65 and Older	2012	2030	2050
America	13.7%	20.3%	22%
Japan	24%	32.2%	40%
Germany	20%	27.9%	30%
Italy	20%	25.5%	31%
Canada	16.5%	25%	26.5%
Russia	13%	20%	26%
Compiled from data from An Aging Nation: The older population in the United States. United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/prod/2014pubs/p25-1140.pdf

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA, 2015b), there are 524 million people over 65 worldwide. This number is expected to increase from 8% to 16% of the global population by 2050. Between 2010 and 2050, the number of older people in less developed countries is projected to increase more than 250%, compared with only a 71% increase in developed countries. Declines in fertility and improvements in longevity account for the percentage increase for those 65 years and older. In more developed countries, fertility fell below the replacement rate of two live births per woman by the 1970s, down from nearly three children per woman around 1950. Fertility rates also fell in many less developed countries from an average of six children in 1950 to an average of two or three children in 2005. In 2006, fertility was at or below the two-child replacement level in 44 less developed countries (NIA, 2015d).

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\). Age is increasing worldwide. Image source.

In total number, the United States is projected to have a larger older population than the other developed nations, but a smaller older population compared with China and India, the world's two most populous nations (Ortman et al., 2014). By 2050, China's older population is projected to grow larger than the total U.S. population today. As the population ages, concerns grow about who will provide for those requiring long-term care. In 2000, there were about 10 people 85 and older for every 100 persons between ages 50 and 64. These midlife adults are the most likely care providers for their aging parents. The number of old requiring support from their children is expected to more than double by the year 2040 (He et al., 2005). These families will certainly need external physical, emotional, and financial support in meeting this challenge.