Final answer:
The elderly population is indeed growing, influenced by factors such as increased life expectancy and low birth rates. Additional data like birth and death rates, and immigration statistics would clarify this trend. Current global population also exceeds 7 billion, illustrating the dynamic nature of demographic changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question about the growth of the elderly population is indeed correct. Over the past decades, the number of elderly individuals in populations, particularly in developed countries like the United States, has increased significantly. This growth, often referred to as "the graying of America", can be attributed to improved healthcare leading to longer life expectancy and declining birth rates, rather than solely to an increase in new births. In 1900, the elderly population (over 65) was about 3 million, which was roughly 4 percent of the total population. By 2016, this number had risen to 49 million, approximately 15 percent of the total U.S. population.
To determine the reasons for this increase, data such as life expectancy, birth rates, immigration rates, and healthcare access would help provide a clearer picture. Additionally, it is True that some countries experience a negative growth rate, often due to higher death rates and lower birth rates, demonstrating that population dynamics are complex and influenced by a variety of factors.
Moreover, the current global population has surpassed the options provided, standing at over 7 billion according to most recent estimates. As for the United States, issues such as the poverty rate among the elderly are informed by demographic shifts, with different rates of poverty compared to the general population and varying over time.