Released today, Older Americans 2020: Key Indicators of Well-Being describes the growing number of older adults in the United States in terms of their economic, health-related and environmental characteristics. 

The older population is projected to become increasingly diverse, reflecting the demographic 

changes in the U.S. population during the last several decades. By 2060, it is estimated that the population 65 and older will be 55% non-Hispanic White alone, 13% non-Hispanic Black alone, 8% non-Hispanic Asian alone, and 21% Hispanic. 

Among the older population, increasing age is associated with higher rates of poverty (9% for 

ages 65–74 compared with 14% for age 85 and older). Poverty rates also vary greatly by sex and by race and ethnicity, with the lowest poverty rates seen among the non-Hispanic White alone population and men age 65 and over. 

Between 2000 and 2018, age-adjusted death rates among people age 65 and over declined by 20% and life expectancies at both age 65 and age 85 increased for both sexes and for Hispanics, non-Hispanic Whites, and non-Hispanic Blacks. 

Today’s release is the eighth report prepared by the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. Sixteen Federal agencies collaborate to monitor and report national-level trends on the well-being of older Americans, making it easy for the public to access key statistics that affect the health and well-being of older Americans. 

The 161-page report presents 40 indicators of well-being into six broad groups – population, economics, health status, health risks and behavior, health care, and environment.