The graph shows the percentage of people aged over 60 in Canada, Finland and Korea between 1950 and 2050.
Summarise the information in the charts and make comparisons where appropriate.
Answer
The graph shows the percentage of people aged 60 and over in Canada, Finland and Korea between 1950 and 2050.
The number of people aged above 60 in Canada and Finland follows a remarkably similar trend. In 1950 both countries had 7-9% of their population aged 60 or above and the percentage increased steadily until 2050 when both countries are expected to have around 25% of their population aged 60 or above.
In contrast, Korea had only 5% of its population aged 60 or over in 1950. This number dropped slightly in the subsequent years and only recovered to the original level of 5% in 2000. Between 2000 and 2021 the number of people aged 60 or over in Korea increased more rapidly and is expected to reach 9% in 2021. After 2021 the aged population is expected to increase very rapidly
overtaking Canada and Finland in around 2035 and reaching 30% by 2050.
The lower initial aged population of Korea can be attributed to the lower development of Korea in the early part of the 20th century, but rapid development and healthy diets in the second half of the 20th century are probably the cause of the increased longevity in Korea.
