The U.S. population 65 and older is the largest ever in terms of both absolute size and percentage of the nation's total population, according to a brief released by the Census Bureau.
According to the agency, that segment of the population grew faster than the total in the decade ending in 2010, increasing by 5.3 million since the previous census. At a total of 50.3 million, those 65 and older accounted for 13 percent of the population, up from 12.4 percent in 2000.
This represents growth of 15.1 percent, compared to the nation's total population growth rate of 9.7 percent. During the previous decade, the Census Bureau reports the trend was reversed. From 1990 to 2000, the 65 and older population grew at a rate of 12 percent compared to 13.2 percent for the entire population.
Some experts have cited the aging population as a cause for concern when discussing healthcare in future years. Because they require more medical attention and long-term care, the expansion of this segment of the population may require larger numbers of medical and caregiving professionals to meet their needs.
At the same time, long-term care is a major contributor to the cost of health insurance for individuals and businesses, and an older population may contribute further to more expensive benefits and coverage at a time when costs are already high.
