The Aging Thrones: Elderly Leaders Ruling a Youthful World

Politics Special Reports: In a world brimming with youthful energy, a strange contradiction prevails. Ironically, in many young nations, the reins of power lie in the hands of leaders who could easily be grandparents to the average citizen. While the leadership of families in these nations has gradually passed into the hands of younger generations, political leadership remains firmly held by the older generation.

From Washington to Kabul, the average age of heads of state is approximately 71 years, whereas the populations they govern are significantly younger. For instance, the average age of the population in Afghanistan is just 17 years, and in India, it is 28 years. Yet, 79-year-old U.S. President Donald Trump and 79-year-old Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva are leading nations with median ages of 38.5 and 32.2 years, respectively.

In Japan, 68-year-old Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba governs a country with a median age of 48.4 years, which is among the oldest populations in the world. Similarly, India (Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 74 — national average age 28.4) and China (President Xi Jinping, 72 — national average age 38.4) also reflect this global pattern of aging leadership ruling youthful nations. According to a 2024 analysis by the Pew Research Center, the average age of world leaders is about 62 years, while the global population’s average age is approximately 31 years—revealing a stark age disparity that has practically doubled over time.

Why this Disparity?

There are several reasons for this paradox of young populations being ruled by older leaders. One major reason is that political systems often prioritize experience and seniority, which naturally creates obstacles for young aspirants. Many countries have legal minimum age requirements for holding the highest offices, reinforcing the idea that politics is a domain reserved for the elderly and experienced.

In democracies, party politics are geared toward maintaining power, and veteran politicians dominate candidate selection due to their experience, networks, and resources. Meanwhile, in autocratic systems like Russia, leaders such as Vladimir Putin (72) manage to retain power through alternative mechanisms.

Cultural factors also contribute significantly. In cultures such as those of China, India, and Japan, older leaders are often revered for their experience, social status, perceived wisdom, and authority. A 2021 study found that political leaders in Eastern countries tend to be older than those in the West because Eastern societies emphasize respect for hierarchical systems and traditional structures.

Scarcity of Young Political Leaders

Despite nearly 50% of the global population being under the age of 30, only about 2.6% of all lawmakers worldwide fall into this age group. A 2024 study showed that when a party’s leader is 70 years old instead of 40, the likelihood of young people voting for that party drops by up to 4%, largely due to a perceived lack of generational connection.

Gap Between Leaders and the People

1. U.S. President Donald Trump is 79 years old, while the median age of the U.S. population is 38.5 years.
2. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is 62, with a population median age of 40.5 years.
3. China’s President Xi Jinping is 72; population median age is 38.4 years.
4. Russian President Vladimir Putin is 72; Russia’s median age is 32.4 years.
5. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is 74; India’s median age is 28.4 years.
6. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is 62; median age is 37.5 years.
7. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is 73; population median age is 20.6 years.
8. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is 68; Japan’s median age is 48.4 years.
9. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is 79; Brazil’s median age is 32.2 years.
10. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is 70; Iran’s median age is 31.9 years.

As the world changes rapidly, this growing age gap between rulers and the ruled raises an essential question: can elderly leaders truly understand and represent the aspirations, challenges, and mindset of the significantly younger populations they govern? Or will this generational disconnect eventually compel a shift in the global political landscape toward youth leadership?