United States: Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population)
In , United States's Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) was 27.69.
That's up 3.2% from 2023, the highest value on record.
The global average for this indicator in 2024 was 16.38 . United States ranks #45 globally out of 217 reporting countries. Within North America, it ranks #3 of 3.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SP.POP.DPND.OL) • Data as of 2024
Trend (2005–2024)
- 2020 · COVID-19 pandemic
Highlights
- Peak
- 27.69
- Trough
- 17.97
- 1-year change
- +3.2%
- 5-year change
- +16.1%
- +3.0% / yr
- 10-year change
- +31.8%
- +2.8% / yr
Historical Data — Last 10 Years
| Year | Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) |
|---|---|
| 27.6906 | |
| 26.8291 | |
| 25.9509 | |
| 25.1969 | |
| 24.5241 | |
| 23.8485 | |
| 23.1963 | |
| 22.5933 | |
| 22.0373 | |
| 21.5198 |
About Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population)
Age dependency ratio, old, is the ratio of older dependents--people older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.
Indicator code: SP.POP.DPND.OL • Category: Health & Population
Frequently asked questions
- What was United States's Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) in 2024?
- In 2024, United States's Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) was 27.69, according to World Bank Open Data.
- Is United States's Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) rising or falling?
- United States's Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) rose 3.2% from 2023 to 2024.
- How does United States rank globally on Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population)?
- In 2024, United States ranked #45 out of 217 countries reporting Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population).
- How does United States's Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) compare to the world average?
- The global average for Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) in 2024 was 16.38, so United States is above the world average. Within North America, it ranks #3 of 3.
- What is Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) and how is it measured?
- Age dependency ratio, old, is the ratio of older dependents--people older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SP.POP.DPND.OL), CC BY 4.0.