Career Paths Population Aging Population aging has become a central fact and force of modern life.
Population aging refers to steady increases in the number and proportion of older people in society.
Fueled by improvements in our standard of living, the elimination of many deadly diseases, and better medical care, Americans are leading longer and healthier lives than ever before. At present, there are almost 35 million Americans aged 65 and older. By 1996, the average life expectancy in the United States had climbed to 76 years, from less than 50 years at the turn of the century. The factors noted above are expected to lead to even larger numbers of older Americans in the future. Additionally, exceptionally large numbers of individuals born in the years following World War II will reach old age during the first half of the 21 st Century.