04/09/2026
🇺🇸👴👶 AMERICA IS GETTING OLDER—AND THE DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFT COULD CHANGE THE FUTURE
The United States is undergoing a major demographic transformation as the population continues to age and birth rates remain low.
But there’s an important correction: the U.S. Census Bureau did not report that Americans 65 and older outnumbered children under age 5 nationwide in 2023. In fact, the Census Bureau has projected that people 65 and older will outnumber children under 18 around 2034.
What is happening is still significant. The older population has been growing rapidly, while younger age groups are growing much more slowly. From 2023 to 2024, the U.S. population age 65 and older increased to 61.2 million, while the under-18 population declined.
This shift could have major consequences for America’s workforce, healthcare system, caregiving needs and economy.
As millions of Baby Boomers move deeper into retirement age, the country faces a growing question: who will make up the workforce supporting an increasingly older population?
America’s demographic future is changing—and the effects could be felt for decades.