Changes in the Elderly Population
The statistics of the past Census’ indicate that there have been notable changes in the United States elderly population between the years of 2000 and 2010. First, the United States of America’s elderly population has grown 21.1% in size overall. Second, the sex ratio for the age group of 60 and older took part in a noteworthy increase between the 2000 census and the 2010 census. Third, the age group consisting of people between the ages of 60 and 64 has had the largest percent increase between 2000 and 2010.
First, the overall elderly population in the United States has grown immensely in size within 10 years. In 2000, the elderly population consisted of 41,256,029 individuals. In 2010, the elderly population grew to the size of 49,972,181 people. This segmented elderly population grew 21.1% between 2000 and 2010. This increase created a big and noticeable impact for the elderly population.
Second, the sex ratio increased dramatically for the age group consisting of 60 years and above. This change in the sex ratio shows that there has been a greater increase in the male population relative to the female population between 2000 and 2010. The Age and Sex Composition: 2010 states, “Males aged 60 to 74 increased by 35.2 percent while their female counterparts increased by 29.2 percent.” This growth shows a major change in the composition of the elderly population. In the past, females outlived male counterparts greatly. With these statistics, the male population is shown to be increasing towards the female elderly population.
Third, the largest percent population increase took place within the 60 to 64 year old age group. This age group grew 55.6% between 2000 and 2010. The population increase trend is consistently seen because of the aging of the Baby Boom population.
With all of these changes to the elderly population, reasons and causes are sought out to explain them. I feel that these elderly population changes have...