It's Ageism Awareness Day Today

Today is Ageism Awareness Day - a global moment to recognise the most universal, yet still too often overlooked, form of inclusivity: age. 🌍

In particular, it’s a day to draw attention to the impact of ageism in our society, and to come together to build truly age-inclusive communities. So, naturally, at Ageism Is Never In Style®, it’s always a year highlight.

As the leading global business and culture consultancy, and community platform on age and generational inclusion, we’re seeing awareness - and action - grow faster than ever. This year, engagement from corporates, brands, and individuals is at an all-time high: from kicking off Allyship Month with an age diversity event for a Fortune 500 company, to delivering a keynote and intergenerational community workshop for a US public institution.

And with our calendar already booked into Q3 2026, it’s clear the appetite for genuine, meaningful age inclusion here. And those companies that truly want to lead, future-proof, and stay competitive are stepping forward.

Now that’s what I call progress.

But age inclusion extends far beyond a calendar moment - and so does our work. Because age touches everything.

And we are all ageing. We don’t suddenly start doing it at 40, 50, 60, or beyond - it’s a lifelong process. And exclusion can affect anyone, at any age — yesterday, today, or tomorrow.

Yes that includes younger people. And it’s not “reverse ageism” or “youthism”, it’s still ageism. Using other labels only divides us further.

What’s more, championing age inclusivity isn’t about pitting generations against each other, or elevating one above another. It’s about recognising that every stage of life holds value, insight, relevance, light, and shade.

Let’s be clear: ignoring age inclusion has real consequences.

Key Stats:

👉 1 in 2 people hold heavily ageist beliefs. (WHO)

👉 The average compensation awarded in successful age discrimination cases in the UK has soared by 624% from 2022-23 to 2023-24. (Ministry of Justice)

👉 We internalise age bias from as young as 4 years old. (WHO)

👉 50% of people over 50 in the UK experienced ageism last year. (Centre for Ageing Better)

👉 6.3 million people attribute ageism as the cause of their depression. (WHO)

👉 The age group most likely to say they’ve been badly treated because of their age is 18–29-year-olds (75%). (Centre for Ageing Better)

👉 Ageism is the most widespread form of discrimination in the UK. (Equality & Human Rights Commission)

So, no - age inclusion isn’t a “problem for tomorrow.” It’s an issue that needs to be addressed today.

Nor is it a trend. Populations are shifting. Wealth is shifting. Five generations now share the workplace, and nearly 50% of the workforce will be over 50 by 2030.

So age inclusion is a global transformation reshaping business, culture, and society.

On a personal note, when I first embarked on this mission to change hearts and minds around ageing, I saw myself as an ally. I was saddened and frustrated seeing my mum and her peers feel increasingly invisible as they got older.

But over time - and after more than a decade working in this space — I’ve realised that age inclusivity is a unique kind of movement. It’s one where every single one of us can be both an ally and personally impacted by it. We can, and should, all be age-positive advocates.

It still surprises some people that someone younger can be an advocate and a leader in this space. The good news? When I started, people questioned whether age inclusion even mattered.

Now, when people find out what I do, they say things like, “Wow, that’s so cool and important - you’re really making a difference.” That in itself shows how far mindsets have shifted.

But there’s still one big thing that needs to change. Leaders in this space - especially younger ones - are still asked, “So why do you care?” or “Isn’t that quite niche?”

So this matters. To every single one of us. I explain more here:

So, on this Ageism Awareness Day, I want to invite you to flip the script.

Let’s stop asking people why they care about age inclusion - because that just gives an easy out not to.

Instead, let’s ask: “Why do you NOT care?”

That’s how we deepen understanding, identify barriers, spark honest reflection, and inspire accountability and action.

And if someone still needs convincing, share this post with them.

Because the truth is simple: age inclusion should be part of every day - every policy, every culture, every workplace, every community, every part of society.