Age here is 76. Entered ham radio in 1959 at age 13 and still quite active, mostly in CW, SSB, and RTTY contests...no FT8. Unfortunately, my outlook for the future of ham radio is not very optimistic.
Look at the pictures in the HR magazines and on the websites...grey hair and/or bald, wrinkled, and paunchy. While the total number of licenses in the U.S. has been pretty stable over the last 20 years, the disparity in classes is distressing...over 50% are Technician class compared to all other classes combined.
The golden/boom years of ham radio were the 1950's, 60's, and early 70's (when CBers were going to HR). Those are also the ones that upgraded to the General, Advanced, and Extra class that we see today. Lots of teens and 20 somethings, as wireless radio communications was still considered "magic". Not so much today, as the younger generation is consumed with cell phones/texting, computers, video games, and crazy social media options. Tell someone younger than 40-45 that you're a ham radio operator, and you'll most likely get a blank stare and say, "what's that?".
The next 10-20 years will be the telltale sign where the overall total number of licenses will start declining more rapidly, and the Technician class % will rise exponentially, as those upgraded General, Advanced, and Extra class hams from "yesteryear", entering their 70's, 80's, and 90's, will start dying off in increasing numbers.
Regarding the reasons that Technicians are not upgrading to the higher classes, I place a portion of the blame on the increasing numbers of HOA/CC&R antenna restricted communities. As the older communities without such restrictions are becoming more dilapidated, folks are seeking more modern homes, closer to work, schools, and other amenities...now mostly under HOA's. The Technicians are just able to use their VHF/UHF HT's, and without the ability to erect HF antennas, what's the incentive to upgrade?
Of course, all this is just my opinion. Hopefully I'm wrong, and something will come to fruition that will keep ham radio a viable, rewarding hobby that I've enjoyed for the last 63 years.
Bob K7JQ