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Demographic numbers are among the most telling statistics and probably the easiest to understand. However, adjusting policy to meet these realities is never easy. For example, according to U.S. Census Data, Delaware ranks as the fourth oldest state in the country. Interestingly, 5.2% of our population, or 51,230 people, are kids under 5 years old. For ages 5 to 17, we rank 38th out of the 50 states and have around 15.7% of our population in that age range. 17.7% of our population, or 175,000 people (measured in 2020), are between the ages of 65 to 84. We also know that this age cohort has been coming steadily to Delaware since these numbers were published. The good news for us is this group ranks third lowest for poverty compared to seniors in the other 50 states.
There are many implications associated with our shrinking birth rates and growing senior population. What does this mean for schools, teachers, childcare, and more? How about seniors? It is a reality that people in their sixth, seventh and eighth decades of life (more if you are lucky) have greater and more complicated healthcare needs. Employers who serve these populations are already adjusting their workforce to meet these new “norms,” while other industry sectors continue to do similarly.
We applaud those who are working to improve the alignment of our education, workforce, and training needs. Here at the State Chamber, our workforce development affiliate, The Partnership Inc., is hosting the Navigating Delaware Pathways: An Education and Workforce Development Summit on April 16 to highlight this important need. The states that perfect this alignment will undoubtedly prosper in the years ahead.
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