Older Women | journal.aarpinternational.org

How Women 50-Plus Are Driving the Global Longevity Economy

Globally, the population of women aged 50-plus is experiencing remarkable growth. The current population of 1.9 billion adults aged 50 and over is expected to balloon by 70 percent by 2050—to 3.2 billion. Women are largely responsible for contributing to this growth. In fact, the current global population of 605 million women age 60+ as of 2020 is expected to reach 1.14 billion by 2050. Around the globe, the evolution of 50-plus women’s life expectancies, statuses, and roles situates this population as a powerful engine driving what is now recognized as the Global Longevity Economy.

In this report, we describe how women aged 50-plus are leading the way through their paid work, unpaid caregiving, and purchasing power.

Unleashing the Economic Potential of Older Women

By 2050, the global population of women over the age of 60 will nearly double from 605 million currently to 1.14 billion. This increase in the older-female share of the population will have significant implications for social and economic outcomes, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries, which are aging rapidly.

This issue brief by FP Analytics, with support from AARP, focuses on the economic challenges facing older women across the world, and the opportunities and dividends presented by their greater economic inclusion.

Older Women: The Hidden Workforce

We listened to the lived experiences of older women and know that the work they do is varied and vital yet lower paid and undervalued, and often including pressure from others to give extra time for caring and community work. We’re calling for their voices to be heard and their needs to be met. Read Full Report by Age International

Five ways older women are affected by the pandemic

With the global population aged 60 years or over projected to double in the first half of this century, and women living longer than men in all countries, older women are fast becoming a demographic majority. Yet women are particularly vulnerable to the social, health and economic impediments associated with old age because of a lifetime of economic disadvantage. They have lower income security, less access to land, housing and other assets, and are less likely than men to receive a pension. Older women are also more likely to face age-based discrimination than older men. Despite this, older women’s needs remain largely overlooked and unaddressed in public policies. Read full article from UN Women

Human rights of older women: the intersection between ageing and gender

In the present report, the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, Claudia Mahler, unpacks the gendered effects of ageing with a focus on the key human rights challenges and concerns of older women. Read full report

Older Women: Inequality at the Intersection of Age and Gender

This advocacy brief explores some areas where ageism intersects with gender-based discrimination. The situation, challenges, opportunities, and diversity of older women in our societies are often overlooked in discussions concerning women and gender and, to some degree, in those devoted to older persons. Read Advocacy Brief