This statistic shows the distribution of elderly population (aged 65 and over) as a share of population in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1976 to 2046. Over this 70 year period the share of elderly people within the population of the UK is expected to increase by over 10 percent, reaching 24.7 percent of the forecast total population of 2046.

This graph shows the resident population projection of elderly people in the United Kingdom from 2020 to 2050, by age group. There is expected to be an overall growth in the number of elderly people. It is expected that all age groups over the age of 60 are expected to increase in number; most substantially, those aged over 80 years.

Indicators included have been derived from the published 2019 mid-year population estimates for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These are the number of persons and percentage of the population aged 65 years and over, 85 years and over, 0 to 15 years, 16 to 64 years, 16 years to State Pension age, State Pension age and over, median age and the Old Age Dependency Ratio (the number of people of State Pension age per 1000 of those aged 16 years to below State Pension age).

This dataset has been produced by the Ageing Analysis Team for inclusion in a subnational ageing tool, which was published in July 2020. The tool enables users to compare latest and projected measures of ageing for up to four different areas through selection on a map or from a drop-down menu.

United Kingdom UK: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 0-14 data was reported at 18.370 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 18.285 % for 2016. United Kingdom UK: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 0-14 data is updated yearly, averaging 20.344 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 25.513 % in 1970 and a record low of 18.220 % in 2014. United Kingdom UK: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 0-14 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 0 to 14 as a percentage of the total male population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

Projected indicators included are derived from the published 2018-based subnational population projections for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland up to the year 2043. The indicators are the projected percentage of the population aged 65 years and over, 85 years and over, 0 to 15 years, 16 to 64 years, 16 years to State Pension age, State Pension age and over, median age and the Old Age Dependency Ratio (the number of people of State Pension age per 1000 of those aged 16 years to below State Pension age).

This dataset has been produced by the Ageing Analysis Team for inclusion in the subnational ageing tool, which was published on July 20, 2020 (see link in Related datasets). The tool is interactive, and users can compare latest and projected measures of ageing for up to four different areas through selection on a map or from a drop-down menu.

Note on data sources: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland independently publish subnational population projections and the data available here are a compilation of these datasets. The ONS publish national level data for the UK, England, Wales and England & Wales, which has been included. National level data for Scotland and Northern Ireland have been taken from their subnational population projections datasets.

This statistic shows the elderly population (ages 65 and over) as a percentage of the total population in the United Kingdom (UK) as forecasted from 2013 to 2060. The elderly share of the population is projected to increase over the 47 year period by 7.5 percentage points.

Both indicators included have been derived from the published 2019 mid-year population estimates for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These are sex ratios for people aged 65 years and over and 85 years and over. A sex ratio shows the number of males in the population for every 100 females.

This dataset has been produced by the Ageing Analysis Team for inclusion in a subnational ageing tool, which was published in July 2020. The tool enables users to compare latest and projected measures of ageing for up to four different areas through selection on a map or from a drop-down menu.

Annual mid-year population estimates for those aged 90 years and over by sex and single year of age (90 to 104 years), and the 105 years and over age group, UK.

Managing funding pressures in the face of high demand from a growing and ageing population, increasingly complex care needs, reduced central government funding to local authorities and rising care costs has been a challenge for Social Services for the Elderly and People with Disabilities. Nonetheless, revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.9% to £8.9 billion over the five years through 2024-25. The UK population is getting older –19% is now aged 65 and over, claims Age UK, with this figure set to shoot up to 22% within the next 10 years. At the same time, the number of people living with disabilities has crept upwards. These factors combine to boost the need for social care services. In spite of this, revenue growth was held back by cuts in local authority expenditure through 2019-20 – driven by austerity – and a shortage of qualified staff. Revenue dropped in 2020-21; after COVID-19 hit, social distancing restrictions limited service provision between March 2020 and July 2021. Revenue began to bounce back once restrictions were lifted and benefitted from a 4.4% rise in the Better Care Fund and a £636 million rise in the government's Social Care Grant in 2022-23. Revenue is anticipated to grow by 3.7% in 2024-25, helped by the DHSC making £4.7 billion available in 2024-25 to support adult scoial care. In the coming years, the industry will remain in high demand as the population ages. The government has committed to addressing challenges in adult social care to help meet growing demand but after scrapping the delayed adult social care reforms, the new Labour government's plans aren't finalised. Over the five years through 2029-30, revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 3.1% to £10.4 billion.

Based on the mid-year population estimates, this is the number of people aged under 16.Population estimates relate to the number of people who were usually resident in an area at the mid-year point. Further details can be found at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/method-quality/specific/population-and-migration/an-overview-of-ons-s-population-statistics/index.html

Data is Powered by LG Inform Plus and automatically checked for new data on the 3rd of each month.

United Kingdom UK: Population: Female: Aged 65 and Above data was reported at 6,644,313.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 6,556,788.000 Person for 2016. United Kingdom UK: Population: Female: Aged 65 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 5,365,111.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,644,313.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 3,787,126.000 Person in 1960. United Kingdom UK: Population: Female: Aged 65 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population 65 years of age or older. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: Knowing how many girls, adolescents and women there are in a population helps a country in determining its provision of services.

Population estimates relate to the population as of 30th June each year, and therefore are often referred to as mid-year estimates. Estimates of the population aged 85 and over in Northern Ireland provide a further age breakdown of those aged 90 and over, by single year of age up to 104 years, and collectively for those aged 105 and over. These statistics contribute to the production of population projections and life expectancy statistics for Northern Ireland, all of which are of policy interest because of the implications for pensions and the delivery of front line services for the older population such as housing, transport and health care.

Figures presented show the movement of older people between local authorities and regions. Both indicators included in this dataset have been derived from the published 2019 internal migration dataset for England and Wales. The numbers presented are the net number of people aged 65 years and over and 85 years and over entering/ leaving the local authority or region in the 12-month period stated.

This dataset has been produced by the Ageing Analysis Team for inclusion in a subnational ageing tool, which was published in July 2020. The tool is interactive, and users are able to compare latest and projected measures of ageing for up to four different areas through selection on a map or from a drop-down menu.

United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Male: Aged 85 to 89 data was reported at 8.801 Person th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 8.556 Person th for 2016. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Male: Aged 85 to 89 data is updated yearly, averaging 5.000 Person th from Jun 1971 (Median) to 2017, with 47 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.801 Person th in 2017 and a record low of 3.000 Person th in 1980. United Kingdom Population: Northern Ireland: Male: Aged 85 to 89 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.G004: Population: Northern Ireland.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the data for the England, AR population pyramid, which represents the England population distribution across age and gender, using estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. It lists the male and female population for each age group, along with the total population for those age groups. Higher numbers at the bottom of the table suggest population growth, whereas higher numbers at the top indicate declining birth rates. Furthermore, the dataset can be utilized to understand the youth dependency ratio, old-age dependency ratio, total dependency ratio, and potential support ratio.

Key observations

• Youth dependency ratio, which is the number of children aged 0-14 per 100 persons aged 15-64, for England, AR, is 36.5.
• Old-age dependency ratio, which is the number of persons aged 65 or over per 100 persons aged 15-64, for England, AR, is 25.8.
• Total dependency ratio for England, AR is 62.3.
• Potential support ratio, which is the number of youth (working age population) per elderly, for England, AR is 3.9.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Age groups:

• Under 5 years
• 5 to 9 years
• 10 to 14 years
• 15 to 19 years
• 20 to 24 years
• 25 to 29 years
• 30 to 34 years
• 35 to 39 years
• 40 to 44 years
• 45 to 49 years
• 50 to 54 years
• 55 to 59 years
• 60 to 64 years
• 65 to 69 years
• 70 to 74 years
• 75 to 79 years
• 80 to 84 years
• 85 years and over

Variables / Data Columns

• Age Group: This column displays the age group for the England population analysis. Total expected values are 18 and are define above in the age groups section.
• Population (Male): The male population in the England for the selected age group is shown in the following column.
• Population (Female): The female population in the England for the selected age group is shown in the following column.
• Total Population: The total population of the England for the selected age group is shown in the following column.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for England Population by Age. You can refer the same here

In 2018, there were estimated be over 584 thousand people aged 90 and over in the United Kingdom, an increase of approximately 200 thousand people when compared with 2002.

Population of the very elderly (including centenarians) by gender, single year of age (90 to 104) and by age groups (90-99, 100+ and 105+) for England & Wales. Source agency: Office for National Statistics Designation: Experimental Official Statistics Language: English Alternative title: Population Estimates of the very elderly (experimental)

These data tables underlie the ‘Ageing in the UK’ interactive mapping tool. Using the tool helps bring these data alive, allowing you to analyse the age structure of the population at the local area level more easily. You can see how the population has aged over time and is projected to continue to age by selecting from a list of indicators of population ageing, such as median age, and animating the map. It is also possible to export jpegs of the maps you produce. Source agency: Office for National Statistics Designation: Official Statistics not designated as National Statistics Language: English Alternative title: Ageing in the UK Datasets

Indicators included are economic activity and employment rates for those aged 50-64 years, by country, region and local authority. Both economic activity and employment rates are displayed as percentages. These have been calculated from the ONS Annual Population Survey and have been extracted from NOMIS.

https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/

This dataset has been produced by the Ageing Analysis Team for inclusion in a subnational ageing tool, which will be published in July 2020. The tool will be interactive, and users will be able to compare latest and projected measures of ageing for up to four different areas through selection on a map or from a drop-down menu.

Note on update frequency: NOMIS provide quarterly updates on both indicators. For consistency with other indicators presented in the subnational ageing tool, these will be updated on an annual basis.

National and subnational mid-year population estimates for the UK and its constituent countries by administrative area, age and sex (including components of population change, median age and population density).