How G20 Leaders’ Ages Stack Up With Biden’s Exit

By: Muskan Agrawal

As President Joe Biden, 81, exits the 2024 race, age dynamics among G20 leaders come into focus. With the United States of America and some of its oldest candidates, the generational gap raises questions about leaders' abilities to connect with younger generations and address their pressing issues.

The President of the United States, Joe Biden announced on July 21 that he would not seek re-election in 2024. This pivotal decision catapults Vice President Kamala Harris, at 58 years old and nearly two decades his junior, to the forefront as the Democratic Party’s prime candidate for the presidential ticket. Biden, who at 81 holds the record as the oldest American president, assumed office at the age of 78.

Former President Donald Trump, now running for the White House again, is 77, making him younger than Biden. On June 14, Biden wished Trump a happy 78th birthday on the X platform, commenting, "Take it from one old guy to another: Age is just a number." Despite his age advantage over Biden by four years, Trump’s age surpasses the leaders of 11 out of the 14 G20 countries with presidents, trailing only behind the leaders of Italy and Brazil. Both candidates are over a decade older than the average age of G20 presidents and nearly 20 years older than the average age of all G20 leaders.

In democracies, the high costs of campaigns, the need for political experience, and age requirements delay candidates from reaching top positions. However, amongst the G20 countries, France, a democracy, has the youngest leaders in power, with the President at 46 and Prime Minister at 35. The Saudi Prince is a close second after Gabriel Attal even though Saudi Arabia is an authoritarian regime according to the Democracy Index 2023.

Political scientists emphasize that concerns about age are not only about cognitive abilities but also about the leaders' ability to resonate with younger generations and address the issues most important to them. A relatable example of this is the differing viewpoints and adjustment challenges between grandparents and their grandchildren, often arising from the distinct generational contexts they have experienced. Similarly, in community leadership, having representatives from various age groups ensures that policies and initiatives address the needs and aspirations of all community members. Younger leaders might advocate for progressive changes and technological advancements, while older leaders could emphasize the preservation of cultural heritage and community values, resulting in a more balanced and inclusive approach to governance.

Political representation should encompass multiple generational perspectives. While individuals of the same age group may not necessarily share identical ideologies, they do have a shared history and have lived through the same world events, which contribute to a richer and more comprehensive representation.