Older Adults & Aging

Majorities of Americans say the federal government does not provide enough help for older people (65%), poor people (62%) and the middle class (61%). By contrast, nearly two-thirds (64%) say the government provides too much help for wealthy people.

The U.S. has more foreign students enrolled in its colleges and universities than any other country in the world. Explore data about foreign students in the U.S. higher education system.

Nearly two-thirds of those age 65 and older go online and a record share now own smartphones – although many seniors remain relatively divorced from digital life.

Roughly half of U.S. cohabiters are younger than 35. But an increasing number of Americans ages 50 and older are in cohabiting relationships.

The generation gap in American politics is dividing two younger age groups, Millennials and Generation X, from the two older groups, Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation.

Among U.S. adults ages 50 and older, the divorce rate has roughly doubled since the 1990s.

The increase in the potential labor force will slow markedly as Baby Boomers retire. Immigrants will play the primary role in future growth of the working-age population.

When we asked people if they regularly got news about the 2016 presidential election through either the print or online version of four specific U.S. newspapers, three of these papers – The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal – attracted more adults younger than 50 than 50 and older as regular readers.

When asked whether one prefers to read, watch or listen to their news, younger adults are far more likely than older adults to opt for text – and most of that reading is occurring on the web.

More Americans ages 65 and older are employed than at any time since at least 2000, and they're spending more time on the job.