Population Growth
Reasons behind the Projected increase in Old-Age Population
Based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s projections, the national population is bound to experience several changes in the coming years, leading to an overall increase in the old age population. This is associated with several reasons. The first is the growth of the baby boomers. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by the year 2030, all of the baby boomers will be 65 years of age and above. This will translate into an increased population of the older generation to a ratio of 1 in every 5 residents. Another reason associated with the projections is transformative nature, which is expected to characterize the 2030s. During this period, the population growth is expected to be slow, meaning that there will be fewer births, while at the same time, the population will be experiencing increased aging. This will result in older people outnumbering children by the year 2050 (Vespa, 2019).
The third reason forming the base of the projection is the reduced reproduction rate in the U.S. in recent years, the Americans have had fewer children as compared to the past generations. The fertility rate in America was an average of 1.7 births, the lowest level recorded in history (U.S. Census Bureau, 2018). This means that the average children in an America family is two. Additionally, birth control methods have also been associated with reduced fertility among the America population. The other reason is the increased life expectancy in the U.S. the life expectancy in America was 78.87 years in 2019, which was a 0.008% increase form that in 2018 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2018). This means with reduced fertility and increased life expectancy, the population will be composed of majorly an old generation by the year 2050. Finally, the rising number of deaths is expected to derail population growth in the coming future. Projections indicate a rise in the number of deaths between 2020 and 2050, similarly translating to reduced population growth.
References
U.S. Census Bureau. (2018). Older people projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. RELEASE NUMBER CB18-41.
Vespa, J. (2019). The Graying of America: More Older Adults that kids by 2035. U.S. Department of Commerce. USA.gov. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2018/03/graying-america.html.