More senior citizens than kids under 5 worldwide, U.S. says

A U.S. Census Bureau worldwide population report found that for the first time in recorded human history, there are more adults aged 65 and older than children 5 and under. The report, released in August, covered data through 2025. Senior citizens now make up roughly 11% of the world’s 8.1 billion people, while young children account for roughly 9%, according to the report.

Low fertility rates accounted for the change, the report said. About a billion people live in countries where fertility has fallen below the replacement rate since 2013. Many other countries, especially in Europe, have already had low fertility rates for several years.

The report also projected that the world’s population would increase to over 10 billion people by 2060. However, adults 65 and up would likely make up 20% of the population by that time, while the number of young people under age 20 would stay relatively constant due to low fertility rates, the report said. Global life expectancy was also projected to keep increasing, leading to a higher population of centenarians, according to the report.

Dig deeper: Listen to Kate Muntean’s report on the life of a World War II veteran at 102 years old.