All articles tagged with #demographic changes
The full retirement age for Social Security benefits is gradually increasing due to demographic shifts and fiscal pressures, with the new rules pushing the age higher for many beneficiaries, encouraging delayed claiming for higher monthly benefits and requiring retirees to adjust their long-term financial plans.
Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina, research shows that a significant portion of displaced New Orleans residents still live elsewhere in the U.S., with Texas cities like Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth attracting many, while Black residents faced greater challenges in returning due to damage and resource disparities.
The United Nations projects that the world's population will peak at 10.3 billion in the mid-2080s before declining to 10.2 billion by the end of the century, a lower and earlier peak than previously anticipated. This shift is attributed to lower fertility rates in major countries like China and could help reduce environmental pressures. However, the need to reduce individual environmental impact remains. The global population is also aging, with those 65 or older expected to surpass those under 18 by the late 2070s.
As the global population ages and fertility rates decline, more families are experiencing the "sandwich generation" dynamic, where individuals simultaneously care for both children and elderly relatives. This trend is leading to smaller family networks and increased caregiving responsibilities, often falling on women. The situation highlights the need for comprehensive long-term care systems and the potential financial and emotional toll on caregivers. Despite the challenges, such caregiving roles can also provide meaningful experiences and teach younger generations about family responsibility.
A Lancet report predicts that the number of new prostate cancer cases will more than double from 1.4 million in 2020 to 2.9 million by 2040, largely due to demographic changes and increased life expectancy in developing countries. Prostate cancer, the most widespread cancer among men, is expected to become more prevalent as men age, and researchers emphasize the need for earlier screening in developing countries where the disease is often diagnosed too late for effective treatment.
The U.S. Census is updating its race and ethnicity categories for the first time in 27 years, aiming to more accurately count residents who identify as Hispanic and of Middle Eastern and North African heritage. The revisions will combine race and ethnicity questions into a single question, allowing respondents to select multiple categories. A new Middle Eastern and North African category will be added, and pejorative terms will be removed. The changes reflect the nation's evolving demographics and aim to provide more inclusive and accurate data.