According to UN population projections, in Italy the ratio of people aged 65 and above to the working age population (20-64) is currently about 38 per cent and projected to exceed 72 per cent by 2050; in Japan it is already above 46 per cent and is estimated to rise to almost 78 per cent by 2050.
Life expectancy at birth is currently over 82 years in Italy (15 years longer than in 1950) and close to 84 in Japan (20 years above the 1950 level); in both countries it will exceed 87 years by 2050.