Lebensaltern

Lebensaltern is the plural form of the German term Lebensalter, which refers to a person’s chronological age within the life course. In demography, sociology and psychology, Lebensalter is used to categorize individuals into age-related life stages that are often linked to characteristic biological, social and psychological traits. The exact boundaries between stages are not universal and may vary by country, culture and research purpose.

Commonly used life stages include infancy (0–2 years), early childhood (3–5), middle childhood (6–11), adolescence (12–17), young adulthood (18–29), middle adulthood (30–64) and older age (65 and above). Some frameworks employ different cutoffs or subdivide stages further, for example by differentiating late adulthood or older adulthood. These divisions help researchers and policymakers discuss age-related patterns in health, education, work, family life and social participation, while acknowledging that individual development is influenced by genetics, environment and life experiences.

The concept of Lebensaltern is central to life-course research, which examines how pathways across different ages shape trajectories in education, employment, health and social relationships. It is also used in public health and social policy to tailor services and interventions to the needs of specific age groups, such as pediatric care for the young, preventive and occupational health for adults, and geriatric care for older adults. As populations age and life expectancy rises, the understanding of Lebensaltern informs planning for pensions, housing, and social support systems.