In recent years, the world has been facing a trend where a significant portion of political power is concentrated in the hands of elderly men, particularly those over the age of 70.
This phenomenon affects key countries such as the United States, Iran, India, and China, where aging leaders continue to influence global politics. An article published in the German newspaper Bild highlights that this issue has become especially relevant amid demographic changes and increasing life expectancy.
A notable example of this trend is the president of Cameroon, 91-year-old Paul Biya, who has held the position for a remarkable 42 years. In contrast, the average age of the country’s population is just 18, which indicates a significant disparity between the age of the leaders and the younger portion of society.
Cameroon, like many other countries, is experiencing a paradox where elderly leaders continue to lead the nation despite lacking connections to the generation that makes up the majority of the population.
Meanwhile, women’s influence in politics remains limited. According to Bild, women govern only 5% of the world’s population, which amounts to about 380 million people. This applies to only 28 countries, with Mexico and Italy being among those where women play an important role in political life. Despite the growing number of women holding high positions, this proportion is still significantly smaller than that of men.
