Comparison of old age dependency ratio (OADR) estimates with 1971-based to 2022-based national population projections for the UK and constituent countries, including measures of error.

Graph and download economic data for Age Dependency Ratio: Older Dependents to Working-Age Population for the United Kingdom (SPPOPDPNDOLGBR) from 1960 to 2024 about 64 years +, working-age, ratio, United Kingdom, and population.

Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) in United Kingdom was reported at 57.94 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United Kingdom - Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2026.

Number of people of State Pension age and working age, and old age dependency ratios for regions, counties and local authorities in England.

United Kingdom UK: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population data was reported at 56.810 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 56.175 % for 2016. United Kingdom UK: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population data is updated yearly, averaging 54.363 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 60.489 % in 1973 and a record low of 51.330 % in 2007. United Kingdom UK: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age 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. Age dependency ratio is the ratio of dependents--people younger than 15 or 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; Relevance to gender indicator: this indicator implies the dependency burden that the working-age population bears in relation to children and the elderly. Many times single or widowed women who are the sole caregiver of a household have a high dependency ratio.

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;

Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) in United Kingdom was reported at 27.14 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United Kingdom - Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2026.

Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) in United Kingdom was reported at 30.8 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United Kingdom - Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2026.

Change in ratio of working age to older age people at district level, projected over a 25 year period

Virgin Islands (British) Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data was reported at 18.023 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 19.183 % for 2022. Virgin Islands (British) Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data is updated yearly, averaging 40.244 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99.973 % in 1960 and a record low of 18.023 % in 2023. Virgin Islands (British) Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Virgin Islands (British) – Table VG.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--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: 2022 Revision.;Weighted average;

Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) in British Virgin Islands was reported at 31.78 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. British Virgin Islands - Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on February of 2026.

In 2025, Italy had the highest old-age dependency ratio, with a rate of 39 people aged over 65 to 100 people of working age. Bulgaria followed second with an old-age dependency ratio of 38.7, while Azerbaijan had the lowest old-age dependency ratio of 13.1 percent.

Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population data was reported at 31.853 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 32.334 % for 2022. Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population data is updated yearly, averaging 48.344 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 112.247 % in 1960 and a record low of 31.853 % in 2023. Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Virgin Islands (British) – Table VG.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Age dependency ratio is the ratio of dependents--people younger than 15 or 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: 2022 Revision.;Weighted average;Relevance to gender indicator: this indicator implies the dependency burden that the working-age population bears in relation to children and the elderly. Many times single or widowed women who are the sole caregiver of a household have a high dependency ratio.

Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) in British Virgin Islands was reported at 12.68 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. British Virgin Islands - Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2026.

Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) in British Virgin Islands was reported at 19.1 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. British Virgin Islands - Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on February of 2026.

Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Old data was reported at 13.830 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 13.151 % for 2022. Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Old data is updated yearly, averaging 8.457 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.830 % in 2023 and a record low of 6.729 % in 2003. 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 Virgin Islands (British) – Table VG.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: 2022 Revision.;Weighted average;

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.

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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.

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