Demographic Trends in Latin America and the Caribbean
53
2005 and 2050. The magnitude of the older population is expected to match that of the youth population for the first time in history around 2040. By 2050, the older population is expected to outnumber the youth population by 30 percent (see figure 2.5 and table 2.4). According to figure 2.5, the youth population is expected to stop growing around 2020, while the working-age population is expected to expand up to 2045. After that, population growth in LAC will be entirely due to increases in the older population. This situation certainly
Figure 2.5
Population by Age Group in LAC, 1950–2050
500 450
population (millions)
400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50
19 50 19 55 19 60 19 65 19 70 19 75 19 80 19 85 19 90 19 95 20 00 20 05 20 10 20 15 20 20 20 25 20 30 20 35 20 40 20 45 20 50
0
0–14
15–59
60 and older
Source: CELADE/ECLAC population estimates and projections 2007.
Table 2.4
Population by Major Age Group in LAC, 1950, 2005, and 2050 Population (thousands)
Age group (years) Total 0–14 15–59 60 and older
1950
2005
2050
167,626 67,449 90,843 9,334
558,818 166,479 342,111 50,228
776,631 138,146 451,764 186,721
Source: CELADE/ECLAC population estimates and projections 2007.