People are living longer than ever before. Advances in medicine, public health, nutrition, and disease prevention have contributed to rising life expectancy across the globe. At the same time, declining birth rates and longer lifespans are reshaping population demographics and creating new challenges and opportunities for healthcare systems, policymakers, and individuals.

To better understand these changes, we compiled longevity, aging, and healthy aging statistics from leading sources including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Life Expectancy Statistics

1. U.S. life expectancy at birth increased to 79.0 years in 2024.
   
   This represents continued recovery from pandemic-era declines and reflects improving mortality trends.

2. U.S. life expectancy increased by 0.6 years between 2023 and 2024.
   
   Life expectancy continues to trend upward as mortality rates improve.

3. U.S. male life expectancy increased to 76.5 years in 2024.
   
   Men continue to have shorter life experiences than women but have seen recent gains.

4. U.S. female life expectancy increased to 81.4 years on 2024.
   
   Women continue to outlive men in the United States.

5. Women in the U.S live approximately 4.9 years longer than men.
   
   The longevity gap remains a significant demographic trend.

6. Americans reaching age 65 in 2024 can expect to live an additional 19.7 years.
   
   Life expectancy at age 65 remains an important measure of longevity among older adults.

7. Men reaching age 65 in 2024 can expect to live another 18.4 years.
   
   Life expectancy continues to improve for older American men.

8. Women reaching age 65 in 2024 can expect to live another 20.9 years.
   
   Women maintain a longevity advantage even in later life.

9. Global life expectancy is approximately 73 years.
   
   Life expectancy has risen significantly worldwide over the past several decades.

10. Most people worldwide can now expect to live into their sixties and beyond.
    
    This represents a major improvement compared with previous generations.

Aging Population Statistics

11. By 2030, 1 in 6 people worldwide will be aged 60 years or older.
    
    Population aging is accelerating in nearly every country.

12. The global population aged 60+ is projected to increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion by 2030.
    
    The world is experiencing one of the fastest demographic transitions in history.

13. By 2050, the global population aged 60 and older is expected to reach 2.1 billion.
    
    Older adults will make up a much larger share of the world’s population.

14. Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population aged 60+ is projected to increase from 12% to 22%.
    
    The share of older adults worldwide is expected to nearly double.

15. In 2020, people aged 60 and older outnumbered children younger than five worldwide.
    
    This milestone highlights the rapid pace of population aging.

16. By 2050, 80% of older adults are expected to live in low-and middle- income countries.
    
    Many countries will face growing healthcare and long-term care demands.

17. The number of people aged 80 and older is projected to reach 426 million by 2050.
    
    The oldest age groups are among the fastest-growing segments of population.

18. The global population aged 60 and older is growing faster than all younger age groups.
    
    This trend is reshaping healthcare systems and economies around the world.

19. Roughly 18% of Americans are aged 65 or older.
    
    The U.S population continues to age steadily.

20. Americans aged 65 and older are projected to account for nearly one-quarter of the U.S. population by 2060.
    
    Older adults will represent an increasingly important demographic group.

Healthy Aging Statistics

21. Approximately 1 in 3 adults worldwide do not meet recommended levels of physical activity.
    
    Physical inactivity remains a major risk factor for chronic disease.

22. Physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for death from noncommunicable diseases worldwide.
    
    Regular movement is strongly associated with healthy aging.

23. Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide.
    
    Fall prevention becomes increasingly important with age.

24. More than 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia.
    
    Dementia is one of the most significant health challenges associated with aging.

25. Nearly 10 million new dementia cases occur every year worldwide.
    
    The burden of dementia is expected to increase as populations age.

26. More than 28 million Americans are living with diabetes.
    
    Diabetes remains one of the most common chronic diseases affecting long-term health.

27. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States.
    
    Cardiovascular disease continues to have a major impact on longevity.

28. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States.
    
    Cancer remains one of the most significant threats to long-term health and lifespan.

29. An estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2025.
    
    Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and affects about 1 in 9 Americans aged 65 and older. The number is expected to continue rising as the population ages.

30. About 1 in 9 Americans aged 65 and older (11%) has Alzheimer’s disease.
    
    Age remains the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s, and prevalence increases substantially among older age groups.

31. More than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
    
    Family caregivers provide billions of hours of unpaid care each year and play a critical role in supporting people living with dementia.

32. More than 1 in 4 adults aged 65 and older falls each year.
    
    Falls are one of the leading threats to healthy aging and are a major cause of injury, hospitalization, and loss of independence among older adults.

33. Older adult falls result in approximately 3 million emergency department visits each year.
    
    Fall-related injuries place a significant burden on both healthcare systems and older adults, often leading to hospitalization and long recovery periods.

34. Falls account for 88% of emergency department visits and hospitalizations related to hip fracture among older adults.
    
    Hip fractures are among the most serious injuries associated with aging and can significantly affect mobility, independence, and quality of life.

35. Approximately 68.4% of Medicare beneficiaries have two or more chronic conditions.
    
    Multiple chronic conditions become increasingly common with age and are a major factor affecting healthcare utilization, quality of life, and longevity.

36. Approximately 36.4% of Medicare beneficiaries have four or more chronic conditions.
    
    Managing several chronic diseases simultaneously is one of the biggest healthcare challenges facing older adults.

37. Approximately 16.2 million Americans aged 65 and older lived alone in 2023.
    
    Older adults who live alone may face greater risks of social isolation, reduced support networks, and poorer health outcomes.

38. About 28% of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older lived alone in 2023.
    
    The likelihood of living alone increases with age, particularly among older women.

39. More than 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day.
    
    The aging of the U.S. population is creating increased demand for healthcare, caregiving, and retirement planning resources.

40. Approximately 70% of people turning age 65 will require some form of long-term care during their lifetime.
    
    Long-term care may include in-home assistance, assisted living, or nursing home care, highlighting the importance of planning for healthy aging.

Key takeaways

The data shows a clear trend: people are living longer, populations are aging rapidly, and age-related health conditions are becoming increasingly important public health concerns.

By 2050, more than 2 billion people worldwide will be aged 60 or older. At the same time, chronic conditions such as dementia, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer continue to affect millions of people globally.

As longevity increases, the conversation is shifting beyond lifespan to healthy aging—helping people live not only longer lives, but healthier and more independent ones.

Sources
• Ageing and health
• Physical activity
• Dementia
• Mortality in the United States, 2024
• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures
• Facts About Falls | Older Adult Fall Prevention | CDC
• Preventing Falls and Hip Fractures | Older Adult Fall Prevention | CDC
• Health Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness | Social Connection | CDC