In agreement to the important research JFRF has been doing on the shifting age structure in Oregon, the US and around the world, the United Nations posted the following information on their website to commemorate International Day of Older Persons: Almost 700 million people are now over the age of 60. By 2050, 2 billion people, over 20 per cent of the world’s population, will be 60 or older. The increase in the number of older people will be the greatest and the most rapid in the developing world, with Asia as the region with the largest number of older persons, and Africa facing the largest proportionate growth. With this in mind, enhanced attention to the particular needs and challenges faced by many older people is clearly required. Just as important, however, is the essential contribution the majority of older men and women can continue to make to the functioning of society if adequate guarantees are in place. Human rights lie at the core of all efforts in this regard.

For more information on this important day, visit: http://www.un.org/en/events/olderpersonsday/