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 ** percent, reaching **** percent of the forecast total population of 2046.

These small area model-based estimates of subjective loneliness have been produced by Age UK, for people aged 65 and over at Borough level and middle and lower super output areas (MSOA/LSOA) in London.

They are calculated using a model based method using a combination of data from the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing (ELSA) from 2010-12 and small area Census data from 2011. Further details of the methodology can be found at Age UK.

The different measures included in the data are

1. The ‘log odds’ of the risk of loneliness among older people

2. The estimated prevalence of loneliness among older people

3. The area ranking for London of the relative risk of loneliness among older people

4. The area ranking for England of the relative risk of loneliness among older people

Background notes:
1. Prevalence estimates: these estimates of prevalence are based on characteristics significantly associated with loneliness which could be estimated at small area level from 2011 Census data. Not all characteristics could be measured from the Census and so these estimates underestimate the true level of loneliness based on national survey and regular polling data. They are designed to be used to examine variation between areas rather than as a true estimate of the prevalence of loneliness in a given area

2. LSOA: Care needs to be taken when using estimates based on LSOA estimates due to other potential confounding factors such as communal establishment within the area such as care homes, hospitals, hospices etc. The risk factors were based on a survey of domestic rather than communal establishments only

3. The main aim of the modelling was to produce small area estimates which are not available for other sources. Borough level estimates are included for context, but alternative estimates at this level may give a more accurate assessment of prevalence

A map of the MSOA data can be viewed on the Datastore.

Source: Office for National Statistics

In 2023, according to those aged over ** in the United Kingdom, staff shortages and poor NHS management were the main causes of health service strain. Around a third of respondents also pointed to a lack of capacity and increased demands from an aging population. In comparison, the same survey carried out on young people found they believed the main cause of strain on services was a lack of funding, and put a larger emphasis on the impact of Brexit and government policy.

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.

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.

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 UK: Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 65 and Above data was reported at 19.866 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 19.721 % for 2016. United Kingdom UK: Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 65 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 17.961 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.866 % in 2017 and a record low of 13.977 % in 1960. United Kingdom UK: Population: as % of Total: 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 UK – Table UK.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population 65 years of age or older as a percentage of the total female population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average; 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.

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.

Share of employment for older workers of different age thresholds by industry, occupation, sector, sex, region and ethnic group.

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 Population: UK: Aged 60 & Over F & 65 & Over M data was reported at 11,989.322 Person th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 11,814.085 Person th for 2016. United Kingdom Population: UK: Aged 60 & Over F & 65 & Over M data is updated yearly, averaging 10,605.000 Person th from Jun 1971 (Median) to 2017, with 47 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14,992.354 Person th in 2014 and a record low of 9,123.000 Person th in 1971. United Kingdom Population: UK: Aged 60 & Over F & 65 & Over M data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.G001: Population.

This statistic depicts the age distribution of the United Kingdom from 2014 to 2024. In 2024, about 17.19 percent of the population in the United Kingdom fell into the 0-14 year category, 63.32 percent into the 15-64 age group and 19.5 percent were over 65 years of age. The same year, the total UK population amounted to about 67.26 million people.

Life expectancy, healthy life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy – at birth and age 65 by sex for local areas in the UK, 2016 to 2018.

This report analyses the number of people aged 65 years and over in the United Kingdom. The data is sourced from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and forecasts are based on ONS projections and IBISWorld estimates. ONS data is given as mid-year estimates which used for the financial year (i.e., June 2019 = 2019-20).

Population ages 65 and above, female (% of female population) in United Kingdom was reported at 20.9 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United Kingdom - Population ages 65 and above, female (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

United Kingdom UK: Survival To Age 65: Female: % of Cohort data was reported at 91.708 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 91.583 % for 2015. United Kingdom UK: Survival To Age 65: Female: % of Cohort data is updated yearly, averaging 85.961 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 91.708 % in 2016 and a record low of 80.656 % in 1960. United Kingdom UK: Survival To Age 65: Female: % of Cohort 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: Health Statistics. Survival to age 65 refers to the percentage of a cohort of newborn infants that would survive to age 65, if subject to age specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

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.

This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify usual residents aged 65 years and over living in a care home in England and Wales. The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.

Population ages 65 and above, total in United Kingdom was reported at 13498909 Persons in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United Kingdom - Total Population for Age 65 and above (only 2005 and 2010) (in number of people) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Pivot table for life expectancy by sex and area type, divided by three-year intervals starting from 2001 to 2003.