Gdoc/Admin
Daily Data InsightsThe age structure of populations varies widely across countries

The age structure of populations varies widely across countries


The image is a world map titled "Age group with the largest population, 2021," showing the ten-year age group that has the largest population in each country. The map uses a color-coded system to differentiate age groups: yellow for ages 0-9, light green for ages 10-19, teal for ages 20-29, light blue for ages 30-39, blue for ages 40-49, dark blue for ages 50-59, and dark teal for ages 60-69. Most European countries have older populations. North America predominantly has the largest population in the 30-39 age group, while much of Africa shows the largest population in the 0-9 age group. The source of the data is the United Nations - World Population Prospects (2022) and the image is credited to Our World in Data.

There are many ways to examine a country's age structure. One interesting approach is to look at the age group with the largest population, as shown in the world map.

Across most African countries, the largest demographic is children younger than 10.

This contrasts sharply with Europe, where the largest age groups tend to be much older. Many European countries are most heavily populated by those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. For example, the fifties are the largest age group in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. In Monaco and Croatia, the most populous are those in their sixties.

If we look back to 1950, the map looks very different. Small children and teenagers were the most populous age groups in almost all countries.

Over the last 70 years, birth rates have declined in most countries, and life expectancy has increased, leading to aging populations worldwide.

Explore this data

Our latest Daily Data Insights

See all Daily Data Insights

Get Daily Data Insights delivered to your inbox

Receive an email from us when we publish a Daily Data Insight (every weekday).

By subscribing you are agreeing to the terms of our privacy policy.