India,China account for one-third of world’s ageing population

India and China account for one third of the world’s total population older than 65 years of age and issues related to population ageing in the two countries will be “accentuated” in the coming decades, according to the latest report of National Institute of Aging.

India and China account for one third of the world’s total population older than 65 years of age and issues related to population ageing in the two countries will be “accentuated” in the coming decades, according to the latest report of National Institute of Aging.

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“The 65-and-older population in China and India alone numbered 166 million in 2008, nearly one-third of the world’s total,” said the report “An Aging World: 2008” of the US’ NIA.

“Issues related to population aging in the world’s two most populous nations will be accentuated in the coming decades as the absolute number climbs to 551 million in 2040 (329 million in China and 222 million in India),” it said.

Director of NIA’s Division of Behavioral and Social Research Richard Suzman said for the first time in human history, within 10 years, there will be more people above 65 years of age and older than children under five in the world.

According to the report, while developed nations have relatively high proportions of people above 65 years of age and older, the most rapid increases in the older population are in the developing world.

The current rate of growth of the older population in developing countries is more than double that in developed countries, and is also double that of the total world population.