America's missing middle: The shrinking 45-64 population

 

Change in U.S. population by age group, 2020-2025

A bar chart that shows U.S. population change by age group from 2020 to 2025. Adults 65 and older grew the most, up 16.2%. Ages 25 to 44 rose 5.7% and ages 18 to 24 increased 3.2%. Under 18 fell 2.4%, while ages 45 to 64 declined 3.2%.

1. Under 18
   -2.4%
2. 18 to 24
   +3.2
3. 25 to 44
   +5.7
4. 45 to 64
   -3.2
5. 65 and older

Data: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates; Chart: Russell Contreras/Axios

America has a missing-middle problem — and this one is demographic.

Why it matters: The shrinking 45-64 population could leave fewer experienced adults to run institutions, mentor younger workers and care for the fast-growing population behind them.

• This is the Gen X-ish squeeze: The age group includes most of Generation X, plus younger baby boomers.
• It also overlaps with the "sandwich generation" years, when many adults are juggling children, aging parents, careers and their own retirement worries.

By the numbers: The U.S. population ages 45-64 fell by 2.68 million from April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2025, according to new Census Bureau population estimates reviewed by Axios.

https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/gen-x-population-shrinking-taxes-economy