Question

In which century did a sizable proportion of the population survive to experience old age?

1) 19th century
2) 20th century
3) 21st century
4) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

The 20th century was the time period when a sizable proportion of the population began to survive to experience old age, due to improvements in living standards, healthcare, and the effects of demographic transitions.

Step-by-step explanation:

A sizable proportion of the population began surviving to experience old age in the 20th century.

Industrialization led to lowered death rates and increased life spans in the 19th century, but it was in the 20th century that significant improvements in sanitation, healthcare, and overall living standards, combined with demographic transitions, resulted in a substantial increase in the number of people reaching old age.

The demographic stages that societies typically move through show a clear pattern: as societies industrialize and then become postindustrial, life expectancy increases.

The Industrial Revolution sparked changes leading to higher birth rates and lower death rates, resulting in more people being able to reach old age. Through the 20th century and into the 21st, the extension of longevity has continued, with much better outcomes for the young-old, middle-old, and old-old than previous generations.