What percentage of Australia's population is aged 65 or older?

• A. 12%
• B. 17%
• C. 25%
• D. 30%

Answer: (B)

Understanding how many people are 65 or older hinges on the current age structure of Australia. The country is aging: life expectancy is longer and birth rates are lower, so the share of older adults has grown but still represents a minority of the population. The best answer is the one closest to around one-sixth of the population, i.e., the high-teens. This aligns with recent data showing the elderly portion sits in that range rather than being a much smaller or much larger share. The other numbers are not as close to the actual pattern: a value a bit under one-sixth would be too low for the current trend, while values in the mid-teens to thirties are not consistent with the observed age structure.