World Social Report, 2023

The World Social Report is the flagship publication on major social development issues of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the United Nations Secretariat.

• Report builds on framework of Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) and explores social and economic opportunities and challenges that population ageing presents.

Key Findings: Number of persons aged 65 years or older is expected to double over next three decades surpassing 1.6 billion in 2050 (accounting for more than 16% of global population).

• Northern Africa and Western Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are expected to experience fastest growth.
• Poverty levels at older ages are typically higher among women, due to lower levels of participation in formal labour markets, shorter working careers and lower wages compared to men.