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The world is getting older and older. Not the planet, but the people who live on it. A new report reveals the global population of older people is growing at its fastest rate ever. The United States Census Bureau calculated there were just over half a billion over-65s in 2008. Officials predict this number will more than double to 1.3 billion by 2040. Around 14 per cent of the world’s population will be retirement age. Researchers say the number of elderly will soon outnumber the young for the first time in human history. This will have a big impact on our societies, economy, and the way we live. An older population will push up pension and healthcare costs. The workforce will have to pay much higher taxes to look after more old people.

America’s National Institute of Aging reports: "Aging is affecting every country in every part of the world....Global aging is changing the social and economic nature of the planet and presenting difficult challenges." Japan is already dealing with these problems and they are expected to get worse. By 2040, experts predict one per cent of the Japanese population will be over 100 years old. There is a booming industry in Japan to cater for the aged. Engineers are developing robots to feed, and clean up after the elderly. There are now robot companions on sale to keep old people company. One positive effect of our aging population is that we need to think again when middle age and old age is. We now often view a 60-year-old as being young.

www.breakingnewsenglish.com