From The American Presidency Project, Presidential Proclamation 1988:
“Throughout our history, older people have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country. That remains true today, and gives us ample reason this year to reserve a special day in honor of the senior citizens who mean so much to our land.
“With improved health care and more years of productivity, older citizens are reinforcing their historical roles as leaders and as links with our patrimony and sense of purpose as individuals and as a Nation. Many older people are embarking on second careers, giving younger Americans a fine example of responsibility, resourcefulness, competence, and determination. And more than 4.5 million senior citizens are serving as volunteers in various programs and projects that benefit every sector of society. Wherever the need exists, older people are making their presence felt—for their own good and that of others.”
What the U.S. census projections tells us …
- For the first time in U.S. history older adults are projected to outnumber children by 2034. Currently, 22.8% of the U.S. population are children while 15.2% are seniors.
- By the numbers in 2034, there will be 77.0 million people 65 years and older compared to 76.5 million under the age of 18. By 2060 23.4% will seniors while 19.8 will be children.
- The median age of the U.S. population is expected to grow from age 38 today to age 43 by 2060.
- In 2020, there will be about three-and-a-half working-age adults for every retirement-age person. By 2060, that ratio will fall to just two-and-a-half working-age adults for every retirement-age person.
- In 2016 only five states had senior populations of less than 14%. These were Georgia, California, Texas, Colorado, and Utah.
Information in this article provided by the United States Census Bureau. See more @ https://www.census.gov/library/audio/profile-america.html
