In 2022, about 17.3 percent of the American population was 65 years old or over; an increase from the last few years and a figure which is expected to reach 22 percent by 2050. This is a significant increase from 1950, when only eight percent of the population was 65 or over.

A rapidly aging population

In recent years, the aging population of the United States has come into focus as a cause for concern, as the nature of work and retirement is expected to change in order to keep up. If a population is expected to live longer than the generations before, the economy will have to change as well in order to fulfill the needs of the citizens. In addition, the birth rate in the U.S. has been falling over the last 20 years, meaning that there are not as many young people to replace the individuals leaving the workforce.

The future population

It’s not only the American population that is aging -- the global population is, too. By 2025, the median age of the global workforce is expected to be 39.6 years, up from 33.8 years in 1990. Additionally, it is projected that there will be over three million people worldwide aged 100 years and over by 2050.

The average for 2023 based on 196 countries was 10.17 percent. The highest value was in Monaco: 36.36 percent and the lowest value was in Qatar: 1.57 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2023, Monaco was the country with the highest percentage of total population that was over the age of 65 with 36 percent. Japan had the second highest with 29 percent, while Portugal and Bulgaria followed in third with 24 percent.

Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in Germany was reported at 22.79 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Germany - Population ages 65 and above (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

In 2021, about 5.96 million people aged 65 years or older were living in California -- the most out of any state. In that same year, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania rounded out the top five states with the most people aged 65 and over living there.

Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in Portugal was reported at 24.11 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Portugal - Population ages 65 and above (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in Norway was reported at 18.53 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Norway - Population ages 65 and above (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in China was reported at 14.32 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Population ages 65 and above (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Slovakia - Proportion of population aged 65 and over was 18.40% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Slovakia - Proportion of population aged 65 and over - last updated from the EUROSTAT on June of 2025. Historically, Slovakia - Proportion of population aged 65 and over reached a record high of 18.40% in December of 2024 and a record low of 12.40% in December of 2010.

This statistic presents the percentage of population aged 65 and over in the United States in 2019, distinguished by state. In 2019, about 21 percent of Florida's population was aged 65 and over. The national share stood at 16.5 percent.

The percent of persons, out of all persons living in an area, 65 years and above.
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey Years Available: 2010, 2011-2015, 2012-2016, 2013-2017, 2014-2018, 2015-2019, 2017-2021, 2018-2022, 2019-2023

The USA: Population ages 65 and above, percent of total: The latest value from 2023 is 17.43 percent, an increase from 16.92 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 10.17 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1960 to 2023 is 11.97 percent. The minimum value, 8.83 percent, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 17.43 percent was recorded in 2023.

The percent of persons, out of all persons living in an area, 65 years and above. Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community SurveyYears Available: 2010, 2011-2015, 2012-2016, 2013-2017, 2014-2018, 2015-2019, 2017-2021, 2018-2022, 2019-2023Please note: We do not recommend comparing overlapping years of data due to the nature of this dataset. For more information, please visit: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/guidance/comparing-acs-data.html

Monaco: Population ages 65 and above, percent of total: The latest value from 2023 is 36.36 percent, a decline from 37.06 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 10.17 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Monaco from 1960 to 2023 is 24.6 percent. The minimum value, 18.94 percent, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 37.32 percent was recorded in 2021.

Spain - Proportion of population aged 65 and over was 20.40% in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Spain - Proportion of population aged 65 and over - last updated from the EUROSTAT on June of 2025. Historically, Spain - Proportion of population aged 65 and over reached a record high of 20.40% in December of 2024 and a record low of 16.80% in December of 2010.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the United States population distribution across 18 age groups. It lists the population in each age group along with the percentage population relative of the total population for United States. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution of United States by age. For example, using this dataset, we can identify the largest age group in United States.

Key observations

The largest age group in United States was for the group of age 30 to 34 years years with a population of 22.71 million (6.86%), according to the ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates. At the same time, the smallest age group in United States was the 80 to 84 years years with a population of 6.25 million (1.89%). Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates

Age groups:

• Under 5 years
• 5 to 9 years
• 10 to 14 years
• 15 to 19 years
• 20 to 24 years
• 25 to 29 years
• 30 to 34 years
• 35 to 39 years
• 40 to 44 years
• 45 to 49 years
• 50 to 54 years
• 55 to 59 years
• 60 to 64 years
• 65 to 69 years
• 70 to 74 years
• 75 to 79 years
• 80 to 84 years
• 85 years and over

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Group: This column displays the age group in consideration
• Population: The population for the specific age group in the United States is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the population of each age group as a proportion of United States total population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for United States Population by Age. You can refer the same here

United States US: Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 65 and Above data was reported at 16.925 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 16.550 % for 2016. United States US: Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 65 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 14.035 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.925 % in 2017 and a record low of 10.023 % in 1960. United States US: Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 65 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population 65 years of age or older as a percentage of the total female population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average; Relevance to gender indicator: Knowing how many girls, adolescents and women there are in a population helps a country in determining its provision of services.

Population aged 65 years and above of Mexico improved by 3.25% from 8.6 % in 2023 to 8.9 % in 2024. Since the 2.69% growth in 2014, population aged 65 years and above shot up by 30.68% in 2024. Population ages 65 and above as a percentage of the total population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population.

Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in Brazil was reported at 10.63 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Brazil - Population ages 65 and above (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Brazil: Population ages 65 and above, percent of total: The latest value from 2023 is 10.63 percent, an increase from 10.25 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 10.17 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Brazil from 1960 to 2023 is 4.98 percent. The minimum value, 2.53 percent, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 10.63 percent was recorded in 2023.