World Health Organisation Fact Sheets

The World Health Organisation has a long history of producing research and fact sheets which help evidence, inform and shape our practice. Check out some of the interesting World Health Organisation Fact Sheets including the new Ageing and health information published this month.

People worldwide are living longer. Today most people can expect to live into their sixties and beyond. Every country in the world is experiencing growth in both the size and the proportion of older persons in the population.

Key facts highlighted

• All countries face major challenges to ensure that their health and social systems are ready to make the most of this demographic shift.
• In 2050, 80% of older people will be living in low- and middle-income countries.
• The pace of population ageing is much faster than in the past.
• In 2020, the number of people aged 60 years and older outnumbered children younger than 5 years.
• Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%.