Sociology Now, Census Update

increased life expectancy, until in 2050 it will be about 20
percent worldwide (Population Reference Bureau, 2007; U.S.
Census Bureau, 2006).

Youth and Inequality

The decline in birthrate plus extended life expectancy has
increasedthe elderly proportion of the American population
and decreasedthe young proportion: People under age 25
comprised 53 percent of the population in 1900, 41 percent
in 1950, and 28 percent in 2003 (Carter, 2006). We might
expect that this change would result in improved well-being
for the young because there are fewer to compete for social
resources.
But the aging population is composed largely of middle-
class, politically active, organized retirees. They have activist
groups like the AARP (formerly the American Association of
Retired People) and the Gray Panthers, which help promote
elder interests and develop a consciousness of themselves as a
group. While the elderly often experience social isolation, they
are also more organized than the elderly has ever been in his-
tory. They vote at a higher rate than the general population

YOUTH AND INEQUALITY 371

10

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

WORLD POPULATION IN BILLIONS

2002 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050

YEAR

15–29 years of age

0–14 years of age

65 years of age and older

30–64 years of age

FIGURE 11.6Population Growth of Specific

Age Groups, 2002 to 2050

No data

Less than 22

22–24

25–27

28 or more

FIGURE 11.7Youth (Ages 15–29) as a Percent of the Total Population by Country, 2002

Source:U. S. Census Bureau, International Programs Center.

Source:U. S. Census Bureau, International Programs Center.