By 2050, more than a fifth of the global population will be aged 60 or older. Some have called it the most daunting demographic challenge facing the world, and, from a data perspective, we are not ready for it. There are, in fact, such significant gaps in the availability of age-disaggregated data, with such serious implications for advance planning, that the United Nations set up a special taskforce to investigate them. You can read about that investigation in this issue dedicated to the subject of old age.
You’ll also find a statistical examination of who gets to retire and who does not; suggestions for how academics can stay engaged with statistics after hanging up their cap and gown; an exploration of the complex issues around driving while old; and an in-depth interview with Karen Bandeen-Roche, a biostatistician renowned for her research into ageing and age-related frailty. We also share the story of how a northern Irish town with an aging demographic learned about itself thanks to a volunteer statistician and publish an extended Q&A section with four statisticians aged 86, 95, 96, and 98.
- Older Persons in Global Statistics—A UN-commissioned group has been investigating data gaps and their impact on our aging population.
- Retirement in the UK—Not every older person retires at the same age. Some do not want to or cannot afford to.
- Reimagining Retirement for Statisticians—Advice on life after an academic career in statistical sciences.
- Driving While Old—The complex issues around old age and fitness to drive.
- Profile: Karen Bandeen-Roche—The gerontologist and statistician studies frailty and resilience in older adults.
- Defining Donaghadee—How a volunteer statistician helped a northern Irish coastal town understand its identity.
- Living Long and Prospering: A Q&A Special—Four statisticians in their 80s and 90s talk about their careers.
Access the digital version of Significance through the ASA’s portal.
Leave a Reply