AARP Study: 50-Plus West Virginians Big Contributors To State Economy

A new AARP study shows that West Virginians age 50 and older will help drive the state’s economy for the next three decades and will be a key demographic in helping the state bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

AARP’s “Longevity Economy Outlook” found that in 2018, people 50-plus contributed $37 billion to the Mountain State’s gross domestic product, and that group is expected to contribute more than $100 billion in 2050. 

It is also estimated that the 50-plus population will pay more than $9 billion in state and local taxes in 2050. Their spending is expected to drive economic growth, particularly in the health care, housing, utilities, leisure and hospitality sectors.

Read more about the findings and how West Virginians age 50 and older can contribute to economic recovery in the Mountain State profile here. For more info about the Longevity Economy Outlook report, visit aarp.org/longevity.