The United States, Rapidly Aging Society

The United States, Rapidly Aging Society

The United States is rapidly becoming an aging society. According to the National Statistical Office, an aging society or aging refers to a society in which the proportion of the elderly population in the total population of the society is significantly increasing. As the average life expectancy increases due to the advancement of medicine, improvement of living standards, and environment, the number of countries that are moving toward an aging society is increasing. Generally, a society is classified as an aging society if the number of elderly people aged 65 or older is 7% to less than 14% of the total population, an aged society if it is 14% to less than 20%, and a super-aged society if it is 20% or more.

According to a new report released by the U.S. Census Bureau on June 30, 2010, the current population aged 65 or older is 40.3 million (approximately 13%) out of the total population of 308,745,538.

* In 2010, the number of Americans aged 65 and over was 40.4 million, a 12-fold increase from 1900.

* In 2010, 85% of those aged 65 and over were white, but the older population is becoming more racially diverse.

* In 2010, 50 countries had a higher percentage of people aged 65 and over than the United States. By 2050, it is expected to reach 98 countries, half of the world’s population.

* In 2010, the state with the largest number of Americans aged 65 and over was Florida. It was followed by West Virginia, Maine, and Pennsylvania (more than 15% of the state population).

* In 2010, 11 states had more than 1 million Americans aged 65 and over.

* In the decade since 2000, the number of people aged 65 and over and 85 and over has increased rapidly in the West and South.

*When broken down by region, the county with the largest number of retirees at age 65.5 was Sumter County, Florida.

* Between 2000 and 2010, Internet use among those 65 and older increased from 14.3% to 44.8%. Among those ages 3 to 64, it was 75.8%.

* Older workers maintained employment during the recession.

* In 2010, 16.2% of Americans 65 and older were employed, up from 14.5% in 2005. Conversely, 60.3% of those ages 20 to 24 were employed in 2010, down from 68% in 2005.

The U.S. Census Bureau also forecasts that the elderly population will double by 2050 as the baby boomer generation ages. As of 2012, the population aged 65 or older was 43.1 million (20.7%), and it is expected that it will increase to 83.7 million (39.1%) in 2050. It is also predicted that the population aged 85 or older will increase from 16.3% in 2012 to 29.7% in 2050. It is also estimated that the working population aged 65 or older will increase from 22 per 100 people in 2012 to 35 per 100 people in 2030. This means that the working population aged 65 or older will become 1 per 3 of the total working population. Therefore, not only in the United States but also around the world, the low birth rate and aging society has become a serious problem that threatens the longevity of the country, and as interest in health has increased due to aging, the need for health products and insurance has become urgent. Many Americans are worried about the upcoming Obamacare health plan re-enrollment, as they are not satisfied with the benefits compared to the insurance premiums, and problems have arisen due to various trial and errors.

In response, Seattle Best Kwonjeong Comprehensive Insurance provides expert assistance for accurate health insurance enrollment, and designs customized plans for customers with various products.