{
  "id": 5293577,
  "title": "Historic first: Older adults now outnumber the youngest children for the first time",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/historic-first-older-adults-now-outnumber-the-youngest-children-for",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-03T09:20:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Axios",
    "slug": "axios",
    "url": "https://www.axios.com/2026/09/03/older-adults-outnumber-youngest-children-globally"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For the first time in recorded history, older adults in the world now outnumber people aged 5 and younger, according to a new report by the U.S. Census. This demographic inversion, driven by declining fertility rates and increased longevity, is projected to deepen in the coming decades. The youngest Baby Boomers are transitioning into their mid-60s, marking the scale and speed of this shift. More than 71% of the world's population now lives in countries with fertility rates at or below the replacement level, up from 45% in 2013. The world's population aged 65 and older is projected to grow from 852 million in 2025 to 2 billion in 2060, accounting for about 55% of all global population growth during that period. China, India, Bangladesh, Mexico, and Vietnam are among several countries with fertility rates below the replacement level. While many countries are experiencing a fertility trap, with smaller younger generations following larger older ones, the global aging trend is more pronounced in Asia, where the 65+ population is expected to surge from 487 million to 1.24 billion. Africa remains the youngest region, but its older population is projected to more than quadruple, surpassing Europe's by 2060. The share of people aged 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 10.5% to 19.6% by 2060. While an aging population may pose challenges for pensions, health systems, and long-term care, it also represents a significant achievement in human health and longevity. Older people may contribute more to the workforce, fill labor shortages, and provide caregiving and volunteering. Societies may need to rethink old age as an economic asset rather than merely a cost.",
  "summary": "Data: U.S. Census Bureau, International Database ; Chart: Noah Bressner/Axios People 65 and older now outnumber children ages 5 and younger worldwide for the first time in recorded history, according to a new report by the U.S. Census. Why it matters: A global plunge in fertility — demographers' term for the number of children being born — and increased longevity are creating a demographic…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}