Ageing level and trends of population in the Americas 1950 to 2100
Source: United Nations World population prospects 2019
As part of a global phenomenon, the region of the Americas has experienced a demographic transition, evidenced by gradual changes in population size according to the different age groups.
In the 0-14 age group, population size had a (slow) upward trend from 1950 to 2000. After this date, the growth trajectory shows a decreasing trend, and there is no change in the projected direction to 2100. This trend also means a continuous decrease in the number of children at the regional level.
In the 15-59 age group, the population size increased from 1950 to 2040. From this date, the growth trajectory shows a decreasing trend, and there is no change in the projected trend to 2100. This correlation also means a continuous decrease in the number of adolescents, young adults, and adults at the regional level.
In the 60-79 age group, the population size has a growing trend throughout the observed and projected period (1950-2100), considering that around 2060, growth will stabilize at a value of approximately 200 million.
In the 80 and over age group, the population size has an increasing trend throughout the observed and projected trajectory (1950-2100), which will reflect a gradual increase in the number of people in this age group.
Although the results follow a normal distribution throughout the period analyzed, this behavior of absolute values of the population size in each age group will lead in 2100 to a notable decrease in the relative percentage of people aged 0-14 years and an increase in the groups of 60-79 years and 80 and over. This is directly reflected in the change of the behavior of the curve containing the aging index considered in this graph, as the number of adults aged 60 years and over per 100 children under 15 years of age.
Life expectancy: a key driver in ageing, Americas 1990-2019
Source: Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019)
Life expectancy is an indicator that expresses the average number of years a person would live, considering their year of birth and the level of mortality determined for that population group.
During 1990-2019, life expectancy maintained an upward trend in all the subregions that make up the region of the Americas, with North America being the subregion that had the most significant influence on this behavior. As of 2010, this region is approaching the trajectory of the rest of the subregions, which is explained by a slowdown in the growth of this indicator in North America, concurrent with a change in life expectancy in the rest of the subregions.
As for life expectancy at age 60, the trajectories maintained an upward trend, albeit with moderate fluctuations over the period, but which did not lead to a long-term change in the tendency.
In the 80-year age group, it seems that the period 1990-2019 is where the most significant fluctuations in the trajectory of the regions and between regions are found and that the most remarkable changes occurred in the group of women. These variations result from multiple factors, among which are: the higher survival rate and better life habits of women.
Trends of older adults in the Americas
Source: United Nations World population prospects 2019
The Aging Index expresses the ratio between the number of older people and people under 15 years of age living in a country. This value is multiplied by 100.
When the value of this index is more significant than 100, the country has an aging population. There are ten countries in the Americas region classified as such. These countries face several challenges in the design of public policies. In this group there is great heterogeneity among the countries in terms of income levels and population size. These differences will lead to differences in the management and results of this condition in the medium term.
The remaining 40 countries in the region are classified as countries with young populations. Being in this classification, they have more opportunities to manage public policies on aging, long-term care, and health and social welfare policies, among others. However, the demographic transition is a fact that requires immediate and timely actions in these 40 countries in the region that will continue to age in the coming years.