In 2022, the median age of the population of the United Kingdom was 40.7 years, compared with 37.9 years in 2001. The average age of the UK population has been increasing throughout this time period, although between 2014 and 2016 the median age remained at 40.

The median age of the population in London was 35.9 years in 2023, the lowest median age among regions of the United Kingdom. By contrast, South West England had a median age of 43.9, the highest in the UK.

The statistic depicts the median age of the population in the United Kingdom from 1950 to 2100*. The median age of a population is an index that divides the population into two equal groups: half of the population is older than the median age and the other half younger. In 2020, the median age of United Kingdom's population was 39.2 years. Population of the United Kingdom The United Kingdom (UK) includes Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland, and is a state located off the coast of continental Europe. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, which means the Queen acts as representative head of state, while laws and constitutional issues are discussed and passed by a parliament. The total UK population figures have been steadily increasing, albeit only slightly, over the last decade; in 2011, the population growth rate was lower than in the previous year for the first time in eight years. Like many other countries, the UK and its economy were severely affected by the economic crisis in 2009. Since then, the unemployment rate has doubled and is only recovering slowly. UK inhabitants tend to move to the cities to find work and better living conditions; urbanization in the United Kingdom has been on the rise. At the same time, population density in the United Kingdom has been increasing due to several factors, for example, the rising number of inhabitants and their life expectancy at birth, an increasing fertility rate, and a very low number of emigrants. In fact, the United Kingdom is now among the 20 countries with the highest life expectancy at birth worldwide. As can be seen above, the median age of UK residents has also been increasing significantly since the seventies; another indicator for a well-working economy and society.

Mean, median and modal ages at death in the UK and its constituent countries, 2001 to 2003 and 2016 to 2018.

The share of under 16s in the overall population of the United Kingdom was 18.3 percent in 2023, compared with 25.5 percent in 1971. Throughout this period, the share of under 16s in the overall UK population has declined significantly, with a brief uptick visible in the 1990s. Aging population in the UK In 2001, the median age of the UK population was 37.9 years, with this increasing to 40.7 by 2022. Among UK regions, South West England had the highest median age in 2022, at 43.9 years, compared with just 35.9 years in London, the regions with the lowest median age. In the future, it is expected that the median age of the UK population will continue to increase. By 2050, it will reach 44.9 years, 48 by 2075, and by the end of the century the median age will reach 49.2 years. Challenges of an aging population As the average age of the population gets older, the UK will face numerous challenges in adapting to this demographic change. With fewer people in the labor market, the government will raise less revenue, and struggle with increased expenditure on pensions. The UK is by no means alone in facing this challenge, with several countries, particular in Southern Europe and East Asia, facing similar demographic challenges. In 2050, for example, it is expected that 39.4 percent of the population of South Korea will be aged 65 or over.

In 2023, there were estimated to be 956,116 people who were aged 35 in the United Kingdom, the most of any age in this year. The two largest age groups during this year were 30-34, and 35 to 39, at 4.7 million and 4.64 million people respectively. There is also a noticeable spike of 693,679 people who were aged 76, which is due to the high number of births that followed in the aftermath of the Second World War. Over one million born in 1964 In post-war Britain, there have only been two years when the number of live births was over one million, in 1947 and in 1964. The number of births recorded in the years between these two years was consistently high as well, with 1955 having the fewest births in this period at 789,000. This meant that until relatively recently, Baby Boomers were the largest generational cohort in the UK. As of 2022, there were approximately 13.76 million Baby Boomers, compared with 14 million in Generation X, 14.48 million Millennials, and 12.9 million members of Gen Z. The youngest generation in the UK, Generation Alpha numbered approximately 7.5 million in the same year. Median age to hit 44.5 years by 2050 The population of the United Kingdom is aging at a substantial rate, with the median age of the population expected to reach 44.5 years by 2050. By comparison, in 1950 the average age in the United Kingdom stood at 34.9 years. This phenomenon is not unique to the United Kingdom, with median age of people worldwide increasing from 23.6 years in 1950 to a forecasted 41.9 years by 2100. As of 2022, the region with the oldest median age in the UK was South West England, at 43.9 years, compared with 35.9 in London, the region with the youngest median age.

This statistic shows the predicted median age of the population of Northern Ireland from 2017 to 2041, by gender. The figures show year on year increase over this twenty eight year period for both men and women, to 43.4 years of age for women and 40.8 years for men.

Provisional deaths registration data for single year of age and average age of death (median and mean) of persons whose death involved coronavirus (COVID-19), England and Wales. Includes deaths due to COVID-19 and breakdowns by sex.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset presents the the household distribution across 16 income brackets among four distinct age groups in England: Under 25 years, 25-44 years, 45-64 years, and over 65 years. The dataset highlights the variation in household income, offering valuable insights into economic trends and disparities within different age categories, aiding in data analysis and decision-making..

Key observations

• Upon closer examination of the distribution of households among age brackets, it reveals that there are 22(2.02%) households where the householder is under 25 years old, 374(34.34%) households with a householder aged between 25 and 44 years, 410(37.65%) households with a householder aged between 45 and 64 years, and 283(25.99%) households where the householder is over 65 years old.
• In England, the age group of 45 to 64 years stands out with both the highest median income and the maximum share of households. This alignment suggests a financially stable demographic, indicating an established community with stable careers and higher incomes.

Content

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

Income brackets:

• Less than $10,000
• $10,000 to $14,999
• $15,000 to $19,999
• $20,000 to $24,999
• $25,000 to $29,999
• $30,000 to $34,999
• $35,000 to $39,999
• $40,000 to $44,999
• $45,000 to $49,999
• $50,000 to $59,999
• $60,000 to $74,999
• $75,000 to $99,999
• $100,000 to $124,999
• $125,000 to $149,999
• $150,000 to $199,999
• $200,000 or more

Variables / Data Columns

• Household Income: This column showcases 16 income brackets ranging from Under $10,000 to $200,000+ ( As mentioned above).
• Under 25 years: The count of households led by a head of household under 25 years old with income within a specified income bracket.
• 25 to 44 years: The count of households led by a head of household 25 to 44 years old with income within a specified income bracket.
• 45 to 64 years: The count of households led by a head of household 45 to 64 years old with income within a specified income bracket.
• 65 years and over: The count of households led by a head of household 65 years and over old with income within a specified income bracket.

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 median household income by age. You can refer the same here

United Kingdom UK: Population: Male: Ages 55-59: % of Male Population data was reported at 6.398 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.265 % for 2016. United Kingdom UK: Population: Male: Ages 55-59: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 5.828 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.526 % in 2005 and a record low of 5.208 % in 1992. United Kingdom UK: Population: Male: Ages 55-59: % of Male Population 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 55 to 59 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates for the median age, by sex, of usual residents in Northern Ireland. The estimates are as at census day, 21 March 2021.

The census collected information on the usually resident population of Northern Ireland on census day (21 March 2021). Initial contact letters or questionnaire packs were delivered to every household and communal establishment, and residents were asked to complete online or return the questionnaire with information as correct on census day. Special arrangements were made to enumerate special groups such as students, members of the Travellers Community, HM Forces personnel etc. The Census Coverage Survey (an independent doorstep survey) followed between 12 May and 29 June 2021 and was used to adjust the census counts for under-enumeration.

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).

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.

European Union Population: EU 27 excl UK: Age 5 to 9 data was reported at 22,342.857 Person th in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 22,369.512 Person th for 2022. European Union Population: EU 27 excl UK: Age 5 to 9 data is updated yearly, averaging 22,542.298 Person th from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2023, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,602.387 Person th in 2000 and a record low of 22,285.139 Person th in 2010. European Union Population: EU 27 excl UK: Age 5 to 9 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Eurostat. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.G001: Eurostat: Population.

United Kingdom UK: Adjusted Net Enrollment Rate: Primary: Male: % of Primary School Age Children data was reported at 98.645 % in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 98.331 % for 2011. United Kingdom UK: Adjusted Net Enrollment Rate: Primary: Male: % of Primary School Age Children data is updated yearly, averaging 97.654 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2012, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99.998 % in 2005 and a record low of 93.390 % in 1985. United Kingdom UK: Adjusted Net Enrollment Rate: Primary: Male: % of Primary School Age Children 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: Education Statistics. Adjusted net enrollment is the number of pupils of the school-age group for primary education, enrolled either in primary or secondary education, expressed as a percentage of the total population in that age group.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

United Kingdom UK: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Old data was reported at 29.037 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 28.659 % for 2016. United Kingdom UK: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Old data is updated yearly, averaging 23.904 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 29.037 % in 2017 and a record low of 18.068 % in 1960. United Kingdom UK: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Old 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. Age dependency ratio, old, is the ratio of older dependents--people older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

This graph shows the resident population projection of middle aged people in the United Kingdom from 2020 to 2050, by age group. There is expected to be an overall growth in the numbers of middle aged people, however certain age groups are expected to fall in number, such as those aged from 50 to 54 years and 55 to 59 years.

This dataset as reported to the Rural Payments Agency contains english slaughterhouse deaths, non cancelled animals and movements, animals aged exactly 6 months and over but less than 36 months at time of slaughter. Attribution statement: © Rural Payments Agency

In 2023, the population of the United Kingdom reached 68.3 million, compared with 67.6 million in 2022. The UK population has more than doubled since 1871 when just under 31.5 million lived in the UK and has grown by around 8.2 million since the start of the twenty-first century. For most of the twentieth century, the UK population steadily increased, with two noticeable drops in population occurring during World War One (1914-1918) and in World War Two (1939-1945). Demographic trends in postwar Britain After World War Two, Britain and many other countries in the Western world experienced a 'baby boom,' with a postwar peak of 1.02 million live births in 1947. Although the number of births fell between 1948 and 1955, they increased again between the mid-1950s and mid-1960s, with more than one million people born in 1964. Since 1964, however, the UK birth rate has fallen from 18.8 births per 1,000 people to a low of just 10.2 in 2020. As a result, the UK population has gotten significantly older, with the country's median age increasing from 37.9 years in 2001 to 40.7 years in 2022. What are the most populated areas of the UK? The vast majority of people in the UK live in England, which had a population of 57.7 million people in 2023. By comparison, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland had populations of 5.44 million, 3.13 million, and 1.9 million, respectively. Within England, South East England had the largest population, at over 9.38 million, followed by the UK's vast capital city of London, at 8.8 million. London is far larger than any other UK city in terms of urban agglomeration, with just four other cities; Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Glasgow, boasting populations that exceed one million people.