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The United Nations General Assembly has designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons.

The number of older people (defined as those aged 65 years or older) tripled from around 260 million in 1980 to 761 million in 2021. Between 2021 and 2050, the global share of the older population is projected to increase from less than 10 percent to around 17 percent. Rapid growth in the number of people reaching older ages underscores the significance of promoting health, preventing, and treating illnesses throughout the entire course of life.

The International Day of Older Persons is a day to recognize the contributions of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives. Learn more at un.org/en/observances/older-persons-day.