When is International Day of Older Persons?
International Day of Older Persons 2027 is on Friday
Friday, October 1, 2027
October 1 every year. That's in 362 days.
until International Day of Older Persons begins, in your time zone
The International Day of Older Persons is a UN observance that recognizes the contributions of older people and draws attention to the challenges of aging, from health and income security to age discrimination.
About International Day of Older Persons
The International Day of Older Persons celebrates what older people give to their families, communities and economies, and looks at how societies are adapting to longer lives. Issues raised on the day include health care, pensions and income security, care and support, age-friendly housing and transportation, abuse and neglect, and discrimination based on age.
On December 14, 1990, the UN General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons in resolution 45/106. That step followed earlier work such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, adopted at the first World Assembly on Ageing in 1982 and endorsed by the General Assembly later that year. In 1991 the Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons (resolution 46/91), and in 2002 the Second World Assembly on Ageing adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, a global plan for responding to population aging.
The day matters more as the world ages. According to the UN, the number of people aged 65 or older roughly tripled from about 260 million in 1980 to 761 million in 2021, and the share of the world's population in that age group is projected to rise from under 10 percent to around 17 percent by 2050. The UN sets a theme for each year's observance.
Sources: United Nations: International Day of Older Persons, General Assembly resolution 45/106 (1990). How we check dates.
How to mark International Day of Older Persons
- Visit or call an older relative, neighbor or friend, and ask about their life and whether they need a hand with anything.
- Volunteer with a meal delivery program, senior center or friendly-visitor service in your area.
- Help an older person set up video calls or online appointments on a phone or tablet.
- Look for age bias in your workplace or community group, from hiring practices to how events are planned.
- Record an oral history with an older family member to preserve their stories for younger generations.
International Day of Older Persons dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday, October 1, 2025 |
| 2026 | Thursday, October 1, 2026 |
| 2027 | Friday, October 1, 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday, October 1, 2028 |
| 2029 | Monday, October 1, 2029 |
| 2030 | Tuesday, October 1, 2030 |
| 2031 | Wednesday, October 1, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is International Day of Older Persons 2027?
International Day of Older Persons 2027 is on Friday, October 1, 2027. It falls on October 1 every year. In 2028, it is on Sunday, October 1, 2028.
When did the UN create the International Day of Older Persons?
The UN General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons on December 14, 1990, in resolution 45/106.
Is the International Day of Older Persons the same as Grandparents Day?
No. The International Day of Older Persons is a UN observance about aging and older people's rights. Grandparents Day is a separate family observance; in the US it falls on the first Sunday after Labor Day.
Is International Day of Older Persons a public holiday?
No. International Day of Older Persons is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.