Global Aging

Why Population Aging Matters: A Global Perspective
This booklet provides a succinct description of population trends that are transforming the world in fundamental ways. The report, using data from the United Nations, US Census Bureau, and the Statistical Office of the European Communities as well as regional surveys, identifies nine emerging trends in global aging. These trends present a snapshot of challenges and opportunities that will stimulate a cross-national scientific and policy dialogue. The booklet was prepared for the March 15, 2007, Summit on Global Aging, hosted by the U.S. State Department in collaboration with the National Institute on Aging.

The National Institute on Aging: A Catalyst for Global Aging Research (Adobe PDF - 81K)
NIA leads the Federal research effort to increase our understanding of the nature and implications of aging and to find ways to extend the healthy, active years of life. Established in 1974, NIA’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of older people through research.

Research Highlights: Cross-National Research on Aging (Adobe PDF - 117K)
In nearly all regions of the world, the population ages 65 and older is growing faster than the total population,challenging existing health services, family relationships, social security, and pension programs. To help address these challenges, the Behavioral and Social Research Program of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) sponsors a wide range of data collection efforts and research related to population aging. This Research Brief highlights cross-national datasets partially or fully funded by NIA, how these data are used to address key research questions, and where people can go for more information.

Aging in Sub-Saharan Africa: Recommendations for Furthering Research (Adobe PDF - 2.1MB)
In 2006, 64 percent of the worldwide population aged 60 and older resided in developing countries, and this proportion is projected to increase to nearly 73 percent by 2030. Yet the limited understanding of the demographics of aging in most developing countries stands in stark contrast to the comparatively well-documented course and implications of aging in developed countries. (National Research Council, 2006)

Preparing for an Aging World: The Case for Cross-National Research
The projected growth in the numbers and proportions of the world's older population poses an array of challenges to policy makers. How do changes in the ratio of workers to retirees affect the ability of societies to fund old-age security systems? Are we living healthier as well as longer lives, or are our added years accompanied by disabilities and generally poor health? In what ways can the structure and the delivery mechanisms of health systems best adapt to the needs of older populations with a higher prevalence of chronic disease? How do changing family structures affect the demand for public transfers of money, time, and living space?  Will population aging lead to lower levels of aggregate saving, investment and productivity growth?  Will health care costs rise or decline relative to other costs? (National Research Council, 2001)

BSR Resource CD
NIA/BSR has developed this resource CD to provide a variety of resources on the behavioral and social science aspects of aging. It contains several documents that describe the research supported by BSR, including our areas of research emphasis, summaries of BSR sponsored workshops and meetings, funding opportunity announcements, abstracts of funded grants and many other research resources. Also included are several complete reports that we commissioned from the National Academy of Sciences and the Census Bureau. 
Request the BSR CD at bsrquery@mail.nih.gov.