Old Age as a Social Phenomenon: Historical Dynamics, Socio-Economic Challenges and Transformation of Perceptions

The article examines the phenomenon of global population aging in the 20th–21st centuries, analyzing its historical roots, socio-economic consequences, and changing perceptions of old age across different cultural and historical contexts. It examines key demographic trends, including increased life expectancy and decreased fertility, as well as their impact on social institutions during the evolution of human society, from the Ancient World to the Modern Age. Particular attention is paid to the transformation of the social status of older people: from the practice of geronticide in the context of eliminating the additional burden on the community to the concepts of using life experience and the wisdom of elders in management techniques, maintaining “active longevity”. The results of the study emphasize the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to the study of aging and the development of social programs in the context of global aging of the planet’s population in modern conditions.