Worldwide Population Hits ‘Tipping Point’ Earlier Than Expected
The world's population is aging much faster than originally estimated.
From Newsweek. Published Sep 03, 2026 at 10:06 AM EDT, updated Sep 03, 2026 at 01:30 PM EDT
By Matt Cannon
People aged 65 and older outnumbered children aged 5 and under worldwide for the first time in recorded history, marking a demographic “tipping point” that arrived earlier than experts anticipated, a new U.S. Census Bureau report said. Read more.
Works Cited
Bacon, Rachel, et al. An Aging World: 2025. International Population Reports, P95/26-1, U.S. Census Bureau / U.S. Government Publishing Office, Aug. 2026.
“Global Older Adult Population Projected to Nearly Double by 2060.” United States Census Bureau, 31 Aug. 2026, www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/older-adult-population-projections.html. Accessed 4 Sept. 2026. Press release CB26-TPS.49.
“Worldwide Population Hits ‘Tipping Point’ Earlier Than Expected.” Newsweek, 3 Sept. 2026, www.newsweek.com/worldwide-population-hits-tipping-point-earlier-than-expected-12399706. Accessed 4 Sept. 2026.
