Between 2017 and 2030, the number of persons aged 60 years or over is projected to grow by 46 per cent (from 962 million to 1.4 billion) globally outnumbering youth, as well as children under the age of 10.

Moreover, this increase will be the greatest and most rapid in the developing world (A/RES/73/143). Population ageing is poised to become one of the most significant social transformations of the 21st century. Older people have always played a significant role in society as leaders, caretakers and custodians of tradition. Yet they are also highly vulnerable, with many falling into poverty, becoming disabled or facing discrimination. As health care improves, the population of older people is growing. Their needs are also growing, as are their contributions to the world. The International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions that older people make to society and raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges of ageing in today’s world.

The 2026 United Nations International Day of Older Persons, under the theme “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” calls on Governments, civil society, the private sector, researchers and older persons themselves to examine how societies can ensure that the additional years gained translate into healthy, productive, dignified and equitable lives for all. Humanity is living longer than ever. Global life expectancy has risen steadily for over seven decades, yet the gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy reached 9.6 years in 2019, reflecting the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases. Longer lives are drawing greater attention to how health, social and economic conditions, and human rights are experienced across the life course.

Longevity intersects with health systems, labour markets, social protection, education, housing and fiscal sustainability in ways that cannot be addressed in isolation. Where years are lived in good health and supported by inclusive labour markets and effective social protection, longer lives can generate a longevity dividend. Conversely, without improvements in healthy life expectancy, older persons may spend more years in poorer health, limiting their functional ability, well-being, autonomy and participation. The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), adopted in 2002, remains the cornerstone of international efforts, alongside growing momentum to strengthen the human rights framework for older persons. This year’s commemoration invites all stakeholders to examine how societies can ensure that the additional years gained translate into healthy, productive, dignified and equitable lives for all.

World Population Prospects

DESA United Nations Programme on Ageing

Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons

United Nations principles for older persons

Tackling abuse of older people: five priorities for the United Nations decade of healthy ageing (‎2021–2030)‎

Ageism in artificial intelligence for health

Ageism is a global challenge: UN