Figure 7 Elderly Share of U.S. Population, Actual and Projected: 1960-2050 oftotall
The nation’s elderly population—people ages 65 and older—will grow to 81 million in 2050, up from 37 million in 2005. This group will grow more rapidly than the overall population, so its share will increase to 19% in 2050, from 12% in 2005. (Figure 7) Immigration will account for only a small part of that growth.
Figure 7  | Elderly Share of U.S. Population, Actual and Projected: 1960-2050  | oftotall  | 19%  | 12%  | 8.9%  | 1960  | 1970 1980  | 1990 2000 2010  | 1950  | 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060  | Note Elderly are ages 65 and older. Projections for 2005 2050 indicated by broken line.  | So urce: Pew Research Center, 2008 