Walking difficulties projected to rise in older adults in Finland
Among adults aged 75 and older, major walking limitations were projected to affect 35% by 2040, compared with 27% in 2024.
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Editor of record: Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
Finnish adults aged 55 and older were the focus of an observational analysis of seven cross-sectional surveys involving 132,427 people from 2013 to 2024. The analysis counted people reporting major difficulty walking about half a kilometer without resting, or an inability to do so. Researchers used past trends and national population projections to estimate future walking limitations.
Among those aged 75 and older, the share reporting limitations rose from 23% in 2018 to 29% in 2020, then stood at 27% in 2024. The researchers projected that 35% would have limitations by 2040. Observed and projected rates remained stable among adults aged 55–64 and 65–74. The number affected at age 75 and older was projected to reach 306,000 by 2040, compared with 177,000 in 2024.
Why it matters
Walking limitations can make independent living harder as populations age. The authors called for better support for physical activity, healthy nutrition and accessible surroundings.
Caveats
Walking ability was self-reported, and projections assumed that past trends would continue. Coverage of institutional settings was limited: approximately 3–4% of respondents aged 75 and older lived in communal housing or long-term care.
From the paper
- Limitation
This approach lacked individual-level follow-up and prevented us from examining changes within individuals.
Quoted word for word from the full text on link.springer.com.
The paper
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
BMC Public Health, Aug 10, 2026, Open access
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