2023 TECH TRENDS
AND ADULTS 50+
January 2023
AARP/RESEARCH | (c) 2023 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED DOI: doi/10.26419/res.00584.001AARP RESEARCH Table of contents
Executive Summary3
The Power of the 50+ Tech Consumer7
The 50+ Consumer Market Opportunity 18
The Digital Home26
The Intersection of Tech and Healthy Aging 31
The Barriers that Limit Adoption 42
Methodology 47
Contact 51
AARP/RESEARCH | (c) 2023 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDAARP RESEARCH 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AARP/RESEARCH | (c) 2023 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED AARP RESEARCH 3 Executive Summary
The 50-plus are significantly engaged with technology.
o Over the past four years, older adults have made technology an integral part of their lives, with 78% using it
frequently to connect with loved ones.
o Though ownership appears to be leveling off, purchasing remains strong: 71% of older adults made a tech purchase
in 2022, mostly replacements, upgrades, or items for the home.
o In fact, the average yearly spend on tech is currently $912, up 11% from 2021 ($821) and up 130% from 2019
($394), prepandemic.
By 2030, the 50-plus are expected to spend $120.2B on tech.
AARP/RESEARCH | (c) 2023 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDAARP RESEARCH 4 Executive Summary
However, opportunity exists to increase tech engagement among the 50-plus.
o Older adults have embraced tech that makes their lives easier, using it for online shopping, banking, and
entertainment, and for staying connected with family and friends. But evidence suggests that the 50-plus are
interested in using tech to help them to improve and monitor their health.
– For starters, 42% believe tech helps enable a healthy life.
– One in five express interest in using tech to help with anxiety, depression, breaking bad habits, and getting
better sleep.
– And among caregivers (23% across age groups), more than half (52% among the 50-plus) are interested in
using tech to help them with their caregiving needs.
o But older consumers need more information about what tech is available, where to get it, and how to use it.
AARP/RESEARCH | (c) 2023 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDAARP RESEARCH 5