Population Reference Bureau Population Bulletin Vol. The older population is growing older. In part, because of gains in life expectancy at advanced ages, the population age 85 and older makes up the fastest growing age group in the U.S. population. The number of American centenarians, which more than tripled to 52,000 between 1980 and 1995, may reach 1 million by the middle of the 21st century. Because advanced old age is associated with chronic illness and functional impairments, the aging of the older population portends a substantial increase in the need for health care and supportive social services.
Older women outnumber older men in almost all societies.
Among Americans age 65 and older in 1995, there were 60 men for every 100 women. The disparity becomes even more marked for those age 85 and older-39 men per 100 women. This shortfall of men reflects higher male mortality at all ages. Although about 105 boys are born for every 100 girls, women outnumber men by age 30 because of the higher male mortality rates. At age 64, the sex ratio, or the number of men per 100 women, is 88.