An aging population refers to a phenomenon in which the median age of the population in a region or country rises significantly when compared to the total population. This is caused by a declining birth rate or rising life expectancy.
Better health, increased child survival and lower fertility all mean that the global population is no longer young for the first time in history. The aging population is growing much faster than the total population in almost all regions around the world. Aging is seen as a triumph of development as it indicates the presence of medical advances and better health care, sanitation, education, nutrition and economic well-being. There are, however, challenges at the individual, family and societal levels relating to a rising aging population although these can be addressed with the right policies in place.
