The nation’s population of those over 65 years of age is expected to climb to nearly 84 million by the year 2050.

This number is double that of the 2012 census of 43.1 million in this age bracket, according to a reports released by the US Census Bureau. A key contributing factor to this dramatic growth is aging baby boomers, who started turning 65 in 2011.

“An Aging Nation: The Older Population in the United States” was the first report released by the Bureau, which analyzes the evolution of the over-65 population, and the impact that these demographic changes will have on the overall U.S. population. “The Baby Boom Cohort in the United States: 2012 to 2060” was the second report released, which looks at how the size and composition of baby boomers have shifted.

Jennifer Ortman, Chief of the Census Bureau’s Population Projections Branch, is concerned about the effect such demographic changes will have on the nation. “Changes in the age structure of the U.S. population will have implications for health care services and providers, national and local policymakers, and businesses seeking to anticipate the influence that this population may have on their services, family structure and the American landscape,” said Ortman in a statement.

There has already been a surge in healthcare-related industries in the U.S. over the past few years. The healthcare and social assistance sector was one of the biggest in 2011 in the U.S., which includes retirement homes, home care services and community care institutions.