Population et inclusivité

Globally, 65% of the population were of working age in 2025. Fifty years ago, the corresponding number was 57%. Notably, the proportion of children has decreased from 37% in 1975 to 25%, while the proportion of older persons has increased from 5.5% to 10%. Persons aged 65 years or over are projected to account for 16% of the global population by 2050.

The age structure in developing economies is pyramid-shaped, with each older age group smaller than the preceding younger age group. By contrast, in developed economies, the largest age groups are 35 to 69 years old. Even in developed economies, the very youngest cohorts are smaller than the cohorts immediately above them. 

Despite these differences in age structure, both developing and developed economies have more boys than girls, while the balance reverses with women outnumbering men among people aged 50 to 54 and in older age groups. 

In most economies, the age structure has followed a trajectory over time where the total dependency ratio first decreases, due to shrinking proportions of children, and later increases, as larger age cohorts reach an age over 64.

In most regions of the world, the bulk of the dependency ratio decrease has already taken place. Further decreases in the child dependency ratio are projected to be more than offset by a rising old-age dependency ratio. In Africa, however, the decline of the dependency ratio is expected to continue to 2050 and beyond. By then, the indicator is projected to fall to 58% from 74% in 2025. In developed economies, the total dependency ratio is already increasing and is projected to reach 72% by 2050.