Which demographic group is projected to represent 20 percent of the U.S. population by 2050?

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Multiple Choice

Which demographic group is projected to represent 20 percent of the U.S. population by 2050?

Demographic aging and population projections explain this result. The share of people who are 65 or older is expected to rise enough to reach about 20 percent of the population by 2050. This comes from the aging of the large baby-boom cohort and longer life expectancy, which together increase the proportion of older adults relative to other age groups. Because the 65-and-older group is the one projected to hit that 20% mark, it’s the best answer. The other groups don’t reach 20% by 2050. The foreign-born population grows but remains below 20% of the total; the 18-to-34 age group does not become a fifth of the population; and White non-Hispanic is projected to be a smaller share than 20%.

Demographic aging and population projections explain this result. The share of people who are 65 or older is expected to rise enough to reach about 20 percent of the population by 2050. This comes from the aging of the large baby-boom cohort and longer life expectancy, which together increase the proportion of older adults relative to other age groups. Because the 65-and-older group is the one projected to hit that 20% mark, it’s the best answer.

The other groups don’t reach 20% by 2050. The foreign-born population grows but remains below 20% of the total; the 18-to-34 age group does not become a fifth of the population; and White non-Hispanic is projected to be a smaller share than 20%.

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