Europeans aged 65 and over are set to outnumber their counterparts under the age of 15 by next year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“It’s projected that by 2024, the population of individuals over 65 in Europe will surpass those under 15. This trend symbolises a new era of social, economic, and health challenges,” stated a communique from the WHO’s European branch, which covers 53 countries, including some in Central Asia.
Additionally, estimates by the “Our World in Data” institute suggest that this phenomenon, currently unfolding in Europe, will manifest globally around 2064.
To mitigate the impact of an ageing population, the WHO urges governments to implement measures aimed at enabling older individuals to maintain and enhance their physical and mental health, independence, social well-being, and overall quality of life.
Among the recommendations are a balanced diet and a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity weekly.