Officially elderly – 28% aged 65 or older in Japan and highest in the world

More than 28% of Japan’s population is now officially classified as elderly, according to its government data. Elderly is over the age of 65 years. Japan’s rate of 28.1% is the highest rate in the world as the first wave of baby boomers enter their twilight years.

In Japan, people aged 65 or older make up a record 35.6 million (28.1%) of the country’s total population. People aged 70 or older accounted for 20.7% of the population, surpassing 20% for the first time.

Other countries with high rates of people aged 65 years or older include: Italy with 23.3%, Portugal with 21.9%, and Germany with 21.7%, according to data from the United Nations.

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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